Vocabulary
C1
6 min read
Updated 15 June 2026
Quick Answer
Abstinence is the practice of refraining from something, especially food, alcohol, or sex, often by choice or principle; an abstention is a single formal act of not voting.
Abstinence and abstention both come from the verb abstain, meaning to hold back from something. The difference is the kind of holding back. Abstinence is an ongoing practice or habit — refraining from alcohol, rich food, or other pleasures, often for health, religious, or moral reasons. Abstention is a specific, formal act — choosing not to vote in a particular ballot or election. One is a lifestyle of self-restraint; the other is a single recorded non-vote.
At a Glance: Abstinence vs Abstention
| Word | Part of Speech | Pronunciation | Core Meaning |
|---|
| abstinence |
noun |
/ˈæbstɪnəns/ |
the practice of restraining oneself from something pleasurable |
| abstention |
noun |
/əbˈstenʃn/ |
a formal decision not to vote either for or against |
Using “Abstinence”
Abstinence describes a sustained practice of refraining from something enjoyable — typically food, drink, alcohol, or sex. It is the word for self-denial as a habit or principle, whether for health, religion, or personal discipline.
When to use it
- Refraining from alcohol: total abstinence
- Religious self-denial: abstinence during Lent
- Avoiding food: abstinence from meat
- Sexual self-restraint: sexual abstinence
- Related verb/adjective: abstain, abstinent
The doctor recommended complete abstinence from alcohol.
Many observe abstinence from meat on Fridays.
Years of abstinence had improved his health.
The programme promotes abstinence as one option.
Her abstinence from sugar lasted the whole year.
Using “Abstention”
Abstention describes a single formal act of declining to vote for or against a motion, candidate, or proposal. It is the word used in elections, committees, parliaments, and councils when someone is recorded as neither yes nor no.
When to use it
- Not voting in a ballot: three abstentions
- A recorded non-vote: her abstention was noted
- Neutral position in a vote: he chose abstention
- Counts in committees and parliaments
- Related verb: abstain (from voting)
The motion passed with two abstentions.
Her abstention surprised the rest of the committee.
There were five votes for, three against, and one abstention.
He explained his abstention in a short statement.
The resolution carried despite several abstentions.
The Key Difference
Ask whether you mean a habit of self-denial or a non-vote. Abstinence is the ongoing practice of refraining from a pleasure such as alcohol or food. Abstention is the formal, countable act of not voting in a particular ballot. You practise abstinence over time; you record an abstention at a single vote. They are never interchangeable in standard English.
Memory Tip
Abstinence shares its ending with existence — it is an ongoing state of self-denial. Abstention ends like election and convention — it belongs to the world of formal voting. Lifestyle of restraint equals abstinence; non-vote equals abstention.
Common Mistakes
There were two abstinences in the committee vote.
There were two abstentions in the committee vote. (a non-vote is an abstention)
The doctor advised total abstention from alcohol.
The doctor advised total abstinence from alcohol. (refraining from a pleasure is abstinence)
His abstinence from voting was recorded in the minutes.
His abstention from voting was recorded in the minutes. (declining to vote is an abstention)
Lent is a time of abstention from rich food.
Lent is a time of abstinence from rich food. (self-denial as a practice is abstinence)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between abstinence and abstention?
Abstinence is the ongoing practice of refraining from something pleasurable, such as alcohol, certain foods, or sex, often for health, religious, or moral reasons. Abstention is a single formal act of choosing not to vote for or against something, as in a committee or election. Both come from the verb abstain, but abstinence is a sustained habit of self-denial, while abstention is a specific, countable non-vote. In short, abstinence is a lifestyle and abstention is a vote that is neither yes nor no.
Can abstinence and abstention be used interchangeably?
No. Although both come from abstain, they belong to different contexts. Abstinence refers to refraining from pleasures like alcohol or food as a practice, while abstention refers specifically to not voting in a ballot. Saying abstinence in a vote or abstention from alcohol sounds wrong to careful readers. The reliable test is the setting: if the topic is voting, use abstention; if the topic is self-denial of food, drink, or sex, use abstinence.
What does abstention mean in voting?
In voting, an abstention is when a person formally declines to cast a vote either for or against a motion, candidate, or proposal. The abstention is usually recorded alongside the yes and no votes. People abstain for many reasons, such as a conflict of interest, uncertainty, or protest. Because it describes a single, countable act within a ballot, abstention, not abstinence, is the correct term in parliaments, committees, and elections.
Does abstinence always mean from alcohol?
No. While abstinence often refers to refraining from alcohol, especially in the phrase total abstinence, it can apply to other pleasures too. People practise abstinence from meat, sugar, smoking, or sexual activity, frequently for health, religious, or ethical reasons. The key idea is voluntary self-restraint from something enjoyable, sustained over time. So abstinence is a broad word for self-denial, and the thing being given up is usually made clear by the surrounding context.
How do you pronounce abstinence and abstention?
Abstinence is pronounced /ˈæbstɪnəns/, roughly AB-stin-ence, with three syllables and the stress on the first. Abstention is pronounced /əbˈstenʃn/, roughly ab-STEN-shun, with the stress on the second syllable and a sh sound near the end. The clearest clue is the ending: abstinence ends in a soft -ence like existence, while abstention ends in a -shun sound like election, which echoes its connection to voting.
What is the verb for both abstinence and abstention?
Both nouns come from the verb abstain, which means to refrain from doing or having something. You abstain from alcohol, which is abstinence, and you abstain from voting, which is an abstention. The verb is the same, so the context tells you which noun fits. When you abstain in the sense of self-denial, the result is abstinence; when you abstain in a vote, the result is an abstention. One verb, two specialised nouns.
Is abstinence a religious word?
It can be, but it is not only religious. Abstinence appears frequently in religious contexts, such as fasting or refraining from meat during Lent. However, it is equally common in medical, health, and personal-discipline contexts, such as abstinence from alcohol recommended by a doctor or abstinence from sugar for fitness. The core meaning, deliberate refraining from a pleasure over time, applies across all these settings, so abstinence is a general word with both secular and religious uses.
What is the plural of abstention?
The plural is abstentions. Because an abstention is a single countable act of not voting, you can have several of them in one ballot, as in the motion passed with three abstentions. Abstinence, by contrast, is normally uncountable, since it names an ongoing practice rather than separate events, so you would rarely say abstinences. This difference, countable abstentions versus uncountable abstinence, is another clue to which word a sentence needs.
Why are abstinence and abstention confused?
They are confused because both come from the verb abstain, look similar, and both involve holding back from something. The crucial difference is what is held back and how. Abstinence is a sustained practice of refraining from a pleasure such as alcohol or food, while abstention is a single, formal act of not voting. Because both sound formal, writers reach for the wrong one. Tying abstention to the ballot box and abstinence to self-denial of food, drink, or other pleasures keeps them clear.
How can I remember which word to use?
Link each ending to a context. Abstention ends in -tion like election and convention, so connect it to voting and committees. Abstinence ends in -ence like existence, so connect it to an ongoing existence of self-denial from alcohol, food, or other pleasures. If the sentence is about a vote, choose abstention; if it is about giving something up as a practice, choose abstinence. Match the setting and the right word follows.
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