ab·sten·tion 
/əbˈstɛnʃən/ noun
plural ab·sten·tions /əbˈstɛnʃən/ noun : the act or practice of abstaining: such as a [noncount] : the act of choosing not to do or have something
▪ He started drinking again after a long period of abstention. [=abstinence] — usually + from ▪ abstention from drugs and alcohol
b : a formal refusal to vote on something [count] ▪ There were 10 ayes, 6 nays, and 2 abstentions when the vote was taken. [noncount] ▪ a high rate of voter abstention
▪ He started drinking again after a long period of abstention. [=abstinence] — usually + from ▪ abstention from drugs and alcohol
b : a formal refusal to vote on something [count] ▪ There were 10 ayes, 6 nays, and 2 abstentions when the vote was taken. [noncount] ▪ a high rate of voter abstention
