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
distractionnoun
mental turmoil
"he drives me to distraction"
distractionnoun
an obstacle to attention
beguilement, distractionnoun
an entertainment that provokes pleased interest and distracts you from worries and vexations
distraction, misdirectionnoun
the act of distracting; drawing someone's attention away from something
"conjurers are experts at misdirection"
Wiktionary
distractionnoun
Something that distracts.
Poking one's eye is a good distraction from a hurting toe.
distractionnoun
The process of being distracted.
We have to reduce distraction in class if we want students to achieve good results.
distractionnoun
Perturbation; disorder; disturbance; confusion.
distractionnoun
Mental disorder; a deranged state of mind; insanity.
The incessant nightmares drove him to distraction.
Etymology: See to distract.
Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
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
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
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
Distractionnoun
the act of distracting; a drawing apart; separation
Distractionnoun
that which diverts attention; a diversion
Distractionnoun
a diversity of direction; detachment
Distractionnoun
state in which the attention is called in different ways; confusion; perplexity
Distractionnoun
confusion of affairs; tumult; disorder; as, political distractions
Distractionnoun
agitation from violent emotions; perturbation of mind; despair
Distractionnoun
derangement of the mind; madness
Wikidata
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
Distraction
Destruction vs Distraction -- In this Grammar.com article you will learn the differences between the words Destruction and Distraction.
Matched Categories
Usage in printed sourcesFrom:
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Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of Distraction in Chaldean Numerology is: 8
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of Distraction in Pythagorean Numerology is: 6
Examples of Distraction in a Sentence
James Gallagher knows that James Gallagher’s in trouble, and James Gallagher’s using this as a sideshow distraction to introduce another gun law, so hopefully people will not see and pay attention to James Gallagher terrible record on their quality of life, the governor needs to focus his efforts on things that will lower the cost of living for Californians, actually solve homelessness, instead of one-off gestures that are n’t going to do anything to stop gun violence.
Nothing. Absolutely nothing. No political maneuver, no media campaign, no distraction can deter me from this goal to bring justice for President Jovenel Moïse.
Iraqi Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasool:
We were able to focus on what our job was without distraction and I think that goes a long way in what we are trying to accomplish here.
The investigation should be free of attempts at distraction and obstruction so that the truth can be revealed. I will not allow Andy Penry to be used as an instrument of distraction in this investigation.
I decline this entity’s request and will continue to fight the failures of the radical Left who desperately seek distraction from their abject failures of crushing inflation, a humiliating surrender in Afghanistan, and the horrendous crisis they created at our border.
Popularity rank by frequency of use
References
Translations for Distraction
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
- разсейване, развлечение, отвличанеBulgarian
- distraccióCatalan, Valencian
- AblenkungGerman
- περισπασμόςGreek
- distracciónSpanish
- häiriö, häiriötekijäFinnish
- distractionFrench
- distracciónGalician
- gangguan, pengalihIndonesian
- 逆上Japanese
- pīroiroiMāori
- distração, distracçãoPortuguese
- отвлечениеRussian
- distraktionSwedish
- ความว้าวุ่นใจThai
Get even more translations for Distraction »
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"Distraction." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 22 Feb. 2025. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/Distraction>.
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