refrain

verb re·frain \ ri-ˈfrān \

Definition of refrain

transitive verb

archaic :curb, restrain

intransitive verb

:to keep oneself from doing, feeling, or indulging in something and especially from following a passing impulse

refrained from having dessert

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refrainment

play \-mənt\ noun

See refrain defined for English-language learners

See refrain defined for kids

Examples of refrain in a Sentence

I was going to make a joke but I refrained.

Recent Examples of refrain from the Web

But Mattis has refrained from building up the U.S. force there until the Trump administration agreed on a broader strategy.

— Alaska Dispatch News, "Trump settles on Afghan strategy expected to raise troop levels," 21 Aug. 2017
In the wake of Saturday's incident, Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Oneda asked Washington to refrain from flying Ospreys in Japan.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Japan Asks U.S. To Halt Osprey Flights After Crash," 7 Aug. 2017
Jacobsen said swimmers should always stay near a lifeguard and refrain from drinking alcohol before entering the water.

— hannah fry, Daily Pilot, "High surf, rip currents and crowds keeping lifeguards busy," 10 July 2017
Earlier Tuesday, the Chinese and Russian foreign ministries proposed that North Korea declare a moratorium on nuclear and missile tests while the United States and South Korea refrain from large-scale joint military exercises.

— Fox News, "US vows it will 'never accept a nuclear North Korea' after new missile test," 4 July 2017
Among its other tips for avoiding shark attacks, the International Shark Attack File advises that people refrain from excess splashing.

— tiffini theisen, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Florida beachgoers run toward school of sharks just offshore in Panhandle," 29 June 2017
Trump has also begun to refrain from publicly criticizing Mueller as part of his legal team’s approach.

— Bloomberg.com, "Your Evening Briefing," 28 June 2017
The real estate database has demanded that Wagner remove all images from her blog and refrain from using them in the future.

— brittany britto, baltimoresun.com, "Hopkins student under fire with Zillow for photos on parody 'McMansion Hell' blog," 27 June 2017
Netanyahu himself refrained from addressing it in a speech to young diaspora Jews visiting Israel and has kept mum amid the outpouring of anger, even among some of his closest allies.

— aron heller, Jewish Journal, "Jewish groups cancel meetings with Netanyahu in protest," 26 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'refrain.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of refrain

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

refrain

noun