distraction

American  

[dih-strak-shuhn] / dɪˈstræk ʃən /

noun

1. the act of distracting.

2. the state of being distracted. distracted.

3. mental distress or derangement.

   That child will drive me to distraction.

   Synonyms:

   craziness, insanity, lunacy, madness

4. that which distracts, divides the attention, or prevents concentration.

   The distractions of the city interfere with my studies.

5. that which amuses, entertains, or diverts; amusement; entertainment.

   Fishing is his major distraction.

6. division or disorder caused by dissension; tumult.

---

distraction British  

/ dɪˈstrækʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of distracting or the state of being distracted

2. something that serves as a diversion or entertainment

3. an interruption; an obstacle to concentration

4. mental turmoil or madness

---

Etymology

Origin of distraction

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin distractiōn-, stem of distractiō “separation”; equivalent to distract + -ion

Example Sentences

“An autistic individual may say that spinning quarters is a good distraction technique for them,” reads one tip.

From Los Angeles Times

"It sends the wrong message and it became a distraction," he said, adding that he had not cared about his sixth place selection and had been happy to support the party.

From BBC

Clare could not begin to guess what Gingersnipes considered more important than her own eternal fate, but he was glad of the distraction nonetheless.

From Literature

But the family came to see those moves as distractions.

From Los Angeles Times

"There is a lot of pressure on the dogs to behave in those environments", she said, which involves a host of distractions - including food, children, chatter and other furry friends.

From BBC

Related Words

• aberration
• complication
• confusion
• disturbance
• diversion
• interference
• interruption