diversion

[ dih-vur-zhuhn, -shuhn, dahy- ]

noun

1. the act of diverting diverting or turning aside, as from a course or purpose:

   a diversion of industry into the war effort.

2. a channel made to divert the flow of water from one course to another or to direct the flow of water draining from a piece of ground.
3. British. a detour on a highway or road.
4. distraction from business, care, etc.; recreation; amusement; a pastime:

   Movies are his favorite diversion.

5. Military. a feint intended to draw off attention from the point of main attack.

diversion

/ daɪˈvɜːʃən /

noun

1. the act of diverting from a specified course
2. an official detour used by traffic when a main route is closed
3. something that distracts from business, etc; amusement
4. military a feint attack designed to draw an enemy away from the main attack

Derived Forms

• diˈversional, adjective

Other Words From

• predi·version noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of diversion¹

1590–1600; < Medieval Latin dīversiōn- (stem of dīversiō ), equivalent to Latin dīvers ( us ) diverse + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

“I’m not going to do what Gascón has done with many of these people and just pretend their crime has not happened... but their punishment must be proportional to the crime,” Hochman said, invoking the possibility of diversion programs or court-mandate rehabilitation for those who commit offenses while suffering from drug addiction.

From Los Angeles Times

Prosecutors were barred from seeking the death penalty or trying juveniles as adults; a host of misdemeanors were no longer to be prosecuted; and in an attempt to combat prison crowding, he pushed diversion programs and less-punitive sentences.

From Los Angeles Times

And its models say that traffic diversion will increase levels of PM10, particulate matter with a diameter of 10 microns or less that harms the hugs and heart and is commonly emitted from vehicles and construction sites.

From Los Angeles Times

Among the streets identified for traffic diversion are Harry Bridges Boulevard/Alameda Street, Anaheim Street, Pacific Coast Highway, Sepulveda Boulevard, the 405 and 710 freeways and parts of State Routes 47 and 103.

From Los Angeles Times

Meanwhile, Rhiannon Do has agreed to three years of probation and a diversion program, in addition to assisting the feds in their continuing investigation and giving up a million-dollar home in North Tustin that prosecutors allege she knowingly bought with federal funds meant to feed elderly Vietnamese refugees.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• amusement
• distraction
• fun
• pastime
• pleasure