[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/abstention/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [A](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/a/) / abstention

# abstention

noun (an abstention, abstentions; uncountable for the habit)

«abstention» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. An abstention is when someone chooses not to vote, neither for nor against. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abstention/#m1)
2. (formal) Abstention is choosing not to do or have something you might want, like food or alcohol. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abstention/#m2)

### In the lessons

Used in class elections and councils («ten for, five against, two abstentions»); in religion for fasting or giving things up in Lent.

### Examples

- The vote was twelve for, eight against, with three abstentions. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abstention/#x1)
- Ruby's abstention meant the result was a tie. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abstention/#x2)
- Abstention from sweets during Lent was hard for Tom. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abstention/#x3)
- The council counted the abstentions separately. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abstention/#x4)
- There were no abstentions; everyone voted. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abstention/#x5)
- In the class vote for the trip, there was one abstention. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abstention/#x6)

### Note

Verb: abstain (abstain from voting). In maths of votes: abstentions are counted but usually do not add to either side, so for + against + abstentions = everyone who was there.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «abstention» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abstention/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«abstention» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/abstention.html) on Mova free.