refrain

1 of 2

verb

re·​frain ri-ˈfrān How to pronounce refrain (audio)
refrained; refraining; refrains

intransitive verb

: to keep oneself from doing, feeling, or indulging in something and especially from following a passing impulse
refrained from having dessert
refrainment noun

refrain

2 of 2

noun

1
: a regularly recurring phrase or verse especially at the end of each stanza or division of a poem or song : chorus
also : the musical setting of a refrain
2
: a comment or statement that is often repeated

Examples of refrain in a Sentence

Verb I was going to make a joke but I refrained. Noun A common refrain among teachers these days is that the schools need more funding. I didn't know the verses of the song, so I only sang on the refrain.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Prosecutors say the other two deputies at the scene refrained from intervening. Emma Tucker, CNN, 17 Mar. 2024 Employees, particularly Gen Z workers, don’t trust that their answers are confidential and refrain from giving candid feedback to avoid possible retaliation. Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 15 Mar. 2024 Nolan frets over a nihilist bomb (then fails to deliver an explosive money shot) yet refrains from detailing government paranoia that might be relevant to today’s spiritual exhaustion. Armond White, National Review, 13 Mar. 2024 If Trump returns to power, Putin can count on him to turn a blind eye to his military adventures, and Orbán can count on him to refrain from criticism of his power grabs. Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 1 Mar. 2024 Paris Fashion Week didn't refrain from getting political. USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2024 On rare occasions, Israel has refrained from participating in the competition due to its occurrence on the date of the national memorial day or Holocaust Remembrance Day. Forbes International, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 Executives should think twice before weighing in Company leaders should refrain from weighing in on political issues themselves, as employees may become uncomfortable or feel alienated if their managers have different opinions. Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 4 Mar. 2024 Despite bellicose warnings in the initial days of the conflict, the Kremlin has refrained from conducting strikes against Ukraine’s Western allies, even though shipments of materiel destined for Ukrainian forces are regularly arriving from Poland, a NATO member. Paul Sonne, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024
Noun
Biden’s refrain of the American comeback is a sharp one. Ezra Klein, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2024 The driver took a plea deal and never served time for Jacobs’ death, a common refrain among victims’ families seeking justice. USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2024 Halls has agreed to pay a $500 fine, participate in a firearms safety class, refrain from taking drugs or alcohol and complete 24 hours of community service. Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 29 Feb. 2024 Ex-Manager Reveals Why 'Last Christmas' and Its Success Could Get 'Annoying' for George Michael The George Michael design features his classic Faith look of aviator shades and leather jacket, from his debut solo album of the same name, plus an engraving of the refrain of the famous title track. Simon Perry, Peoplemag, 26 Feb. 2024 The usual refrain is this, namely that there isn’t time for being stylish when in a street fight. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 As one White House refrain goes, a good day for the President is one when immigration isn’t in the news. Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2024 Related Articles Ohio State fires basketball coach Chris Holtmann after several disappointing seasons Maryland continues to lean on its starters … and hardly anyone else The Terps didn’t get much help from their bench, another refrain fans have heard before. Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 10 Feb. 2024 Psychological Safety In unhealthy environments, team members often don’t ask questions, conceal weaknesses, avoid admitting mistakes, refrain from offering ideas and hesitate to critique the status quo. Andrew Sever, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'refrain.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English refreynen, from Anglo-French refreiner, refreindre, from Latin refrenare, from re- + frenum bridle — more at frenum

Noun

Middle English refreyn, from Middle French refrain, alteration of Old French refrait melody, response, from past participle of refraindre to break up, moderate, from Vulgar Latin *refrangere, alteration of Latin refringere — more at refract

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of refrain was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near refrain

Cite this Entry

“Refrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refrain. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

refrain

1 of 2 verb
re·​frain ri-ˈfrān How to pronounce refrain (audio)
: to hold oneself back
refrain from laughing

refrain

2 of 2 noun
: a regularly repeated phrase or verse of a poem or song : chorus

More from Merriam-Webster on refrain

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