The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Avoidance \A*void"ance\, n.
   1. The act of annulling; annulment.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. The act of becoming vacant, or the state of being vacant;
      -- specifically used for the state of a benefice becoming
      void by the death, deprivation, or resignation of the
      incumbent.
      [1913 Webster]

            Wolsey, . . . on every avoidance of St. Peter's
            chair, was sitting down therein, when suddenly some
            one or other clapped in before him.   --Fuller.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. A dismissing or a quitting; removal; withdrawal.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. The act of avoiding or shunning; keeping clear of. "The
      avoidance of pain." --Beattie.
      [1913 Webster]

   5. The courts by which anything is carried off.
      [1913 Webster]

            Avoidances and drainings of water.    --Bacon.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

avoidance
    n 1: deliberately avoiding; keeping away from or preventing from
         happening [syn: avoidance, turning away, shunning,
         dodging]