attention

American  

[uh-ten-shuhn, uh-ten-shuhn] / əˈtɛn ʃən, əˌtɛnˈʃʌn /

noun

• attentions
  plural

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).

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attention British  

/ 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

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

attention Idioms  

1. see pay attention.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• overattention
  noun
• attentional
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• attentions
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of attention

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

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Explanation

"May I have your attention please?" When you ask that question, you are asking people to focus their mental powers on you. Whether they do or not depends on your next words. You'll have their full attention if you say, "Here's $100." The noun attention can also refer to an interest in something or someone. You probably pay attention in school when your teachers bring up topics in which you are personally interested. You can also shower attention on those you love or indulge. The word also refers to "standing at attention," as in the military — by standing up straight, arms down at the sides, and feet together.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

attention attentions

In a pivotal round table, they turned their attention towards comedian James Acaster, and picked apart his story of a "murder in plain sight" that had occurred nights earlier.

From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026

If you are shocked or surprised by these findings, or if you think they are just about ESG, you probably haven’t been paying attention to the human behavior all around you since middle school.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 3, 2026

“Yes, we will continue to be called The Alliance for Secure AI,” the group posted on X in October, borrowing Trump’s signature signoff: “Thank you for your attention to this matter.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2026

Their attention centered on specialized cells called spongiotrophoblasts, which occupy a region of the mouse placenta where maternal and fetal cells interact.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 3, 2026

We liked it that way, and as Papi had often said, in those times it was safer that way too—always best not to draw attention to ourselves.

From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo

As the Gunners' attentions turn to a Champions League semi-final against Lyon on Sunday, BBC Sport assesses why Kelly is not an automatic choice for either club or country.

From BBC ● Apr. 25, 2026

Perhaps a bigger question – do MPs actually want to focus their attentions on something else?

From BBC ● Apr. 24, 2026

Later he fastens his attentions on an unthreatening neighbor and his daughter, who has a crush on Frank.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 14, 2026

Instead of courting major movie roles, the actor has instead focused his attentions on more independent projects while also building a family with Song, whom he met in 2014.

From MarketWatch ● Mar. 20, 2026

My father’s care and attentions were indefatigable, but he did not know the origin of my sufferings and sought erroneous methods to remedy the incurable ill.

From "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley

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Related Words

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

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