Definitions for distraction
dɪˈstræk ʃəndis·trac·tion

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:5.0 / 2 votes

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"

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

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 DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Distractionnoun

   Etymology: distractio, Latin.

   1. Tendency to different parts; separation.

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

   2. Confusion; state in which the attention is called different ways.

   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.

   3. Perturbation of mind; violence of some painful passion.

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

   4. Madness; frantickness; loss of the wits.

   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.

   5. Disturbance; tumult; difference of sentiments.

   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.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

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.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

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 DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

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

WikidataRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

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 ResourcesRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Distraction

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

Matched Categories

1. • Confusion
   • Entertainment
   • Inattention

How to pronounce distraction?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say distraction in sign language?

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. Kayla Rae Reid:

   I was in Rio the whole time, we did n’t want people to know I was there, and I did n’t want to be a distraction.

2. Chris Christie:

   The entire conversation about 'anchor babies' is a distraction that makes us sound like we're anti-immigrant, and we're not, our party is not that way. We want people to do it legally. Do it the right way.

3. Patrick Kane:

   This has been an incredibly difficult time for many people. I cannot apologize enough for the distraction this has caused my family, my teammates, this incredible organization, and of course our fans, while I have too much respect for the legal process to comment on an ongoing matter, I am confident that once all the facts are brought to light, I will be absolved of having done nothing wrong.

4. Kurt Volker:

   Today, I informed ASU President Crow and Mrs. McCain that I believe the recent media focus on my work as the 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, i know the Institute is well equipped with a first rate team of staff and trustees to continue its progress in the future.

5. Jon Ossoff:

   So all of that nonsense and distraction, the denial about the election outcome, Kelly Loeffler need to be focused on containing the spread of this virus and rushing direct financial relief to ordinary Americans who are suffering.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=distraction
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Distraction
3. ^ Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
   https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/views/search.php?term=distraction
4. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distraction
5. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
6. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distraction
7. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=distraction