attention

[uh-ten-shuhn, uh-ten-shuhn]

noun

1. the act or faculty of attending, especially by directing the mind to an object.

   Synonyms: heed, mindfulness, alertness, watchfulness, consciousness, awareness

2. Psychology.

   1. 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.

   2. a state of consciousness characterized by such concentration.

   3. a capacity to maintain selective or sustained concentration.

3. observant care; consideration.

   Individual attention is given to each child.

4. civility or courtesy.

   attention to a guest.

   Synonyms: homage, respect, regard, politeness, deference

5. notice or awareness.

   His deliberate cough caught the waiter's attention.

6. attentions, acts of courtesy or devotion indicating affection, as in courtship.

7. Military.,  an erect position with eyes to the front, arms to the sides, and heels together (often used as a command).

attention

/ əˈtɛnʃən /

noun

1. concentrated direction of the mind, esp to a problem or task

2. consideration, notice, or observation

   a new matter has come to our attention

3. detailed care or special treatment

   to pay attention to one's appearance

4. (usually plural) an act of consideration, courtesy, or gallantry indicating affection or love

   attentions given to a lover

5. 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

6. psychol the act of concentrating on any one of a set of objects or thoughts See also selective attention

1. the order to be alert or to adopt a position of formal military alertness

Other Word Forms

• attentional adjective
• overattention noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of attention¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English attencioun, from Latin attentiōn-, stem of attentiō; attent -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of attention¹

C14: from Latin attentiō, from attendere to apply the mind to; see _attend

Idioms and Phrases

see pay attention.

Example Sentences

Plus, this old-school habit is a way of signaling to others at the table that they have his undivided attention.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Too often we pay attention to the wrong things, whether it’s a local election 1,000 miles away or what some podcaster said on the internet that day.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He named the war for what it is, identified the RSF, and called attention to the foreign hands fueling the violence.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Investors have to pay attention to “wash sale” rules, too.

Read more on Barron's

This backdrop does not warrant an immediate shift in your investment portfolio, but it requires attention to how the labor market evolves.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• consideration 
• debate 
• mind 
• scrutiny 
• thinking 
• thought