digression

American  

[dih-gresh-uhn, dahy-] / dɪˈgrɛʃ ən, daɪ- /

noun

1. the act of digressing.

   Synonyms:

   divergence, deviation

2. a passage or section that deviates from the central theme in speech or writing.

   Synonyms:

   divergence, deviation

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Other Word Forms

• digressional adjective
• digressionary adjective

Etymology

Origin of digression

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin dīgressiōn-, stem of dīgressiō “departure,” from dīgress(us) “departed” (past participle of dīgredī “to go off, depart”; digress ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

Now, a brief digression, because I feel strongly about this.

From Salon • Mar. 5, 2026

The settings—generic spaces such as cafés, train stations, hotel lobbies, and offices—tend to be described with similar brevity, while the detectives’ actions are recounted in prose generally lacking metaphor, simile, or fanciful digression.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 10, 2025

But the book’s circuitous, meandering structure, including a major digression about one of Siegfried’s sisters, tests the reader’s patience.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2025

In the telescope’s view, there’s something more subtle but no less staggering lurking, too, which can best be introduced via a slight sky-watching digression.

From Scientific American • Oct. 20, 2023

Or rather, I’ve made a huge digression and doubled back to my starting place.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

Related Words

• detour
• footnote