abstention

Universal Words noun 1 [C,U] ~ (from sth) an act of choosing not to use a vote either in favour of or against sth: The voting was 15 in favour, 3 against and 2 abstentions. * Voter abstention is seen as the only real form of dissent in elections. 2 [U] (formal) the act of not allowing yourself to have or do sth enjoyable or sth that is considered bad: The Church insisted on abstention from all luxuries. seealsoABSTAIN