Question

what does refrain mean here? when seals flocked to oregon beaches, biologists asked residents and tourists to refrain from interfering with the newborn pups, whose mothers routinely leave their pups onshore while they hunt for food in the water. refrain verb to keep yourself from doing a desired action refrain noun a recurring verse in a song or poem

Explanation:

In the given sentence, biologists are asking people to stop themselves from interfering with the seal pups. The definition "to keep yourself from doing a desired action" (as a verb) fits this context, while the noun definition about a song/poem's verse is irrelevant here.

Answer:

refrain verb to keep yourself from doing a desired action