The meaning of REFRAIN is curb, restrain. How to use refrain in a sentence.

REFRAIN definition: 1. to avoid doing or stop yourself from doing something: 2. a short part of a song or poem that is…. Learn more.

re•frain 2 (rɪˈfreɪn) n. 1. a phrase or verse recurring at intervals in a song or poem, esp. at the end of each stanza; chorus. 2. a. a musical setting for a poetic refrain. b. melody; tune. c. the …

If you refrain from doing something, you deliberately do not do it. Mrs. Hardie refrained from making any comment.

There are three meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun refrain. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. OED's earliest evidence for refrain is from before …

Dec 14, 2025 · refrain (third-person singular simple present refrains, present participle refraining, simple past and past participle refrained) (transitive, archaic) To hold back, to restrain …

A refrain refers to repeated lyrics, and so every chorus (which are marked by repeating lyrics) is a refrain. The term "chorus", however, refers to when all the musical elements—singers and …

to keep oneself from doing or saying something: [~ + from + object] Can we please refrain from laughing? [~ + from + verb-ing] He refrained from asking any questions.

Refrain (verb): To stop oneself from doing something. As a noun, “refrain” refers to a repeated phrase or verse in literature and music, often used for emphasis or to create a rhythmic …

Definition of refrain verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.