attention
the act or faculty of attending, especially by directing the mind to an object.
Psychology.
a concentration of the mind on a single object or thought, especially one preferentially selected from a complex, with a view to limiting or clarifying receptivity by narrowing the range of stimuli.
a state of consciousness characterized by such concentration.
a capacity to maintain selective or sustained concentration.
observant care; consideration: Individual attention is given to each child.
civility or courtesy: attention to a guest.
notice or awareness: His deliberate cough caught the waiter's attention.
attentions, acts of courtesy or devotion indicating affection, as in courtship.
Military. an erect position with eyes to the front, arms to the sides, and heels together (often used as a command).
Origin of attention
1Other words for attention
Other words from attention
- at·ten·tion·al, adjective
- o·ver·at·ten·tion, noun
Words Nearby attention
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use attention in a sentence
We know more than ever about attention span and engagement, or the connection between socio-emotional development and academic outcomes.
Why hasn’t digital learning lived up to its promise? | Walter Thompson | September 17, 2020 | TechCrunchA lack of institutional leadership also means there aren’t many prominent people or groups showing up to nudge politicians to pay attention to their issues.
More And More Americans Aren’t Religious. Why Are Democrats Ignoring These Voters? | Daniel Cox | September 17, 2020 | FiveThirtyEightThe QAnon conspiracy theory, which originated online three years ago, has gained more attention this year.
Trump contradicts CDC director on vaccine; Biden says Americans shouldn’t trust Trump | Colby Itkowitz, Felicia Sonmez, John Wagner | September 16, 2020 | Washington PostWith no iPhone to soak up all the attention this year, the two new models—the premium Apple Watch Series 6 and the lesser Apple SE—shone.
While this campaign is mostly geared toward informing Instagram users, Steyer said he also hopes the celebrity messages will garner the attention of advertisers.
Kim Kardashian, Katy Perry, and Leonardo DiCaprio plan one-day Instagram boycott. Here’s why | Danielle Abril | September 15, 2020 | Fortune
One witness said the gunfire began after a traffic collision, which drew the attention of a nearby police officer.
First, they allow Paul to siphon off attention from whichever potential candidate is making news.
In short, fatherhood gets little attention in policy debates.
How Good Dads Can Change the World | Gary Barker, PhD, Michael Kaufman | January 6, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTAnyone who tries to draw attention to threats instead of quietly burying them is worsening the problem.
Cover-Ups and Concern Trolls: Actually, It's About Ethics in Suicide Journalism | Arthur Chu | January 3, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTIn an effort to gain early attention, he focused his attention on the Iowa precinct caucuses, which had never mattered much.
This attracted much attention, and the London journals praised the artist.
Women in the fine arts, from the Seventh Century B.C. to the Twentieth Century A.D. | Clara Erskine ClementHis parents were peasants and he wrought as a day laborer till he attracted attention.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel MunsellThe little crowd and the boats on the beach were right under them and no one paid any attention or seemed to be in a hurry.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I | Ian HamiltonThe card table profitably occupies some six to eight hours daily of these old fellows' attention.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James WillsClaude de Vert died; he devoted much attention to the ceremonies of the church of Rome, of which he wrote a history.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel Munsell
British Dictionary definitions for attention
/ (əˈtɛnʃən) /
concentrated direction of the mind, esp to a problem or task
consideration, notice, or observation: a new matter has come to our attention
detailed care or special treatment: to pay attention to one's appearance
(usually plural) an act of consideration, courtesy, or gallantry indicating affection or love: attentions given to a lover
the motionless position of formal military alertness, esp in drill when an upright position is assumed with legs and heels together, arms to the sides, head and eyes facing to the front
psychol the act of concentrating on any one of a set of objects or thoughts: See also selective attention
the order to be alert or to adopt a position of formal military alertness
Origin of attention
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with attention
see pay attention.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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