abstention

American  

[ab-sten-shuhn] / æbˈstɛn ʃən /

noun

1. an act or instance of abstaining.

2. withholding of a vote.

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abstention British  

/ əbˈstɛnʃən /

noun

1. a voluntary decision not to act; the act of refraining or abstaining

2. the act of withholding one's vote

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Other Word Forms

• abstentious adjective
• nonabstention noun
• unabstentious adjective

Etymology

Origin of abstention

1515–25; < Late Latin abstentiōn- (stem of abstentiō ), equivalent to Latin abstent ( us ), past participle of abstinēre to abstain + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

If the Liberals -- with 170 seats out of 343 -- cannot win two lawmakers over to their side, abstentions could help them win the vote.

From Barron's

Catholics have gone MAGA, support for the special message was overwhelming: 216 bishops voted in favor, 5 against, and there were 3 abstentions.

From Los Angeles Times

The motion was carried by 74 votes to seven with two abstentions.

From Barron's

While shareholders owning a majority of shares, barring abstentions, voted in favor of the proposal, the board is still considering how closely the two companies should be linked.

From Barron's

That means the government needs opposition support — or abstentions — to pass its budget.

From Barron's