abstention

[ab-sten-shuhn]

noun

1. an act or instance of abstaining.

2. withholding of a vote.

abstention

/ əbˈstɛnʃən /

noun

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

2. the act of withholding one's vote

Other Word Forms

• abstentious adjective
• nonabstention noun
• unabstentious adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of abstention¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of abstention¹

C16: from Late Latin abstentiōn-, from Latin abstinēre. See _abstain

Example Sentences

The vote in the state Assembly was 71 yes, 0 no with 9 abstentions; the vote in the state Senate was 35 yes, 0 no, 5 abstentions.

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With government-aligned senators absent, the motion passed with 52 votes in favour and four abstentions.

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The size of that rebellion is not yet clear, although it is thought some 50 Labour MPs could still vote against the bill, and there would be several abstentions.

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Last October, the Senedd voted against a motion calling for a law to allow assisted dying, albeit with a number of abstentions.

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The Senedd voted against a motion on a similar topic that failed to pass last October, albeit with a number of abstentions.

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