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.

REFRAIN definition: a phrase or verse recurring at intervals in a song or poem, especially at the end of each stanza; chorus. See examples of refrain used in a sentence.

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 recurrent …

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 1413, in the writing …

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

A refrain (from Vulgar Latin: refringere, "to repeat", through Old French: refraindre) is the line or lines that are repeated in poetry or in music —the " chorus " of a song.

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.

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