What does Distraction mean?

Definitions for Distraction
dɪˈstræk ʃəndis·trac·tion

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word Distraction.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. distractionnoun

    mental turmoil

    "he drives me to distraction"

  2. distractionnoun

    an obstacle to attention

  3. beguilement, distractionnoun

    an entertainment that provokes pleased interest and distracts you from worries and vexations

  4. distraction, misdirectionnoun

    the act of distracting; drawing someone's attention away from something

    "conjurers are experts at misdirection"

Wiktionary

  1. distractionnoun

    Something that distracts.

    Poking one's eye is a good distraction from a hurting toe.

  2. distractionnoun

    The process of being distracted.

    We have to reduce distraction in class if we want students to achieve good results.

  3. distractionnoun

    Perturbation; disorder; disturbance; confusion.

  4. distractionnoun

    Mental disorder; a deranged state of mind; insanity.

    The incessant nightmares drove him to distraction.

  5. Etymology: See to distract.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Distractionnoun

    Etymology: distractio, Latin.

    While he was yet in Rome,
    His power went out in such distractions as
    Beguil’d all spies. William Shakespeare, Anthony and Cleopatra.

    Never was known a night of such distraction;
    Noise so confus’d and dreadful; jostling crowds,
    That run, and knew not whither. John Dryden, Spanish Fryar.

    What may we not hope from him in a time of quiet and tranquillity, since, during the late distractions, he has done so much for the advantage of our trade? Joseph Addison, Freeholder.

    The distraction of the children, who saw both their parents expiring together, would have melted the hardest heart. Tatler.

    Madam, this is a meer distraction:
    You turn the good we offer into envy. William Shakespeare, H. VIII.

    So to mad Pentheus double Thebes appears,
    And furies howl in his distemper’d ears:
    Orestes so, with like distraction tost,
    Is made to fly his mother’s angry ghost. Edmund Waller.

    Commiserate all those who labour under a settled distraction, and who are shut out from all the pleasures and advantages of human commerce. Francis Atterbury, Sermons.

    The two armies lay quiet near each other, without improving the confusion and distraction which the king’s forces were too much inclined to. Edward Hyde, b. viii.

Wikipedia

  1. Distraction

    Distraction is the process of diverting the attention of an individual or group from a desired area of focus and thereby blocking or diminishing the reception of desired information. Distraction is caused by: the lack of ability to pay attention; lack of interest in the object of attention; or the great intensity, novelty or attractiveness of something other than the object of attention. Distractions come from both external sources, and internal sources. External distractions include factors such as visual triggers, social interactions, music, text messages, and phone calls. There are also internal distractions such as hunger, fatigue, illness, worrying, and daydreaming. Both external and internal distractions contribute to the interference of focus.

ChatGPT

  1. distraction

    A distraction is something that turns one's attention away from a main focus or task, often causing interruption or preventing concentration. It can be an external stimuli or internal thoughts that shift your focus, causing temporary diversion or confusion.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Distractionnoun

    the act of distracting; a drawing apart; separation

  2. Distractionnoun

    that which diverts attention; a diversion

  3. Distractionnoun

    a diversity of direction; detachment

  4. Distractionnoun

    state in which the attention is called in different ways; confusion; perplexity

  5. Distractionnoun

    confusion of affairs; tumult; disorder; as, political distractions

  6. Distractionnoun

    agitation from violent emotions; perturbation of mind; despair

  7. Distractionnoun

    derangement of the mind; madness

Wikidata

  1. Distraction

    Distraction is the divided attention of an individual or group from the chosen object of attention onto the source of distraction. Distraction is caused by: the lack of ability to pay attention; lack of interest in the object of attention; or the great intensity, novelty or attractiveness of something other than the object of attention. Distractions come from both external sources, and internal sources.

Suggested Resources

  1. Distraction

    Destruction vs Distraction -- In this Grammar.com article you will learn the differences between the words Destruction and Distraction.

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

How to pronounce Distraction?

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of Distraction in Chaldean Numerology is: 8

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of Distraction in Pythagorean Numerology is: 6

Examples of Distraction in a Sentence

  1. Kurt Volker:

    Today, I informed ASU President( Michael) Crow and Mrs.( Cindy) McCain that I believe the recent media focus on my work as U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations risks becoming a distraction from the accomplishments and continued growth of the Institute, and therefore I am stepping down as Executive Director of the McCain Institute for International Leadership.

  2. Hillary Clinton:

    I have a responsibility to you and other voters, i think it is imperative that we look at the Keystone pipeline as what I believe is the distraction from the important work we have to do to combat climate change.

  3. Kris Bryant:

    I feel like it has passed, i think usually if something gets done it's always in spring training. Why would anybody want to talk about it during the season ? It's just a distraction.

  4. Christina Haack:

    Something I did was getting off social media for a while and I feel like that is a big distraction. My kids do not like me being on my phone, so I feel like that's setting an example for them. When I get home, I make sure my focus is on them and when I'm at work, my focus is work.

  5. Carlos Rodriguez:

    That's the only thing that's keeping us Douglas students alive right now: the distraction of fighting for our rights and advocating for our lives.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

Distraction#10000#23309#100000

Translations for Distraction

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"Distraction." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 22 Jan. 2025. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/Distraction>.

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