/ Dictionary / Index A abstentionism: Meaning and Definition of Find definitions for: ab•sten•tion•ism Pronunciation: (ab-sten'shu-niz"um), [key] — n. the refusal of a government to participate in international relations or alliances that it regards as detrimental to its interests. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. abstention abstergent Related Content Daily Word Quiz: careening Analogy of the Day: Today’s Analogy Spelling Bee: Today’s Spelling Bee Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language