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• attention deficit disorder
  attention deficit disorder

  noun

  ADD.
• Attention Deficit Disorder
  Attention Deficit Disorder

  A disorder characterized by a difficulty in retaining focus, especially on tasks, for long periods of time.

attention deficit disorder

American  

[uh-ten-shuhn def-uh-sit dis-awr-der] / əˈtɛn ʃən ˈdɛf ə sɪt dɪsˌɔr dər /

noun

1. ADD.

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attention deficit disorder British  

noun

1.  ADD.  a disorder, particularly of children, characterized by excessive activity and inability to concentrate on one task for any length of time

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Attention Deficit Disorder Cultural  

1. A disorder characterized by a difficulty in retaining focus, especially on tasks, for long periods of time.

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One of the most common reasons children are brought into therapy, ADD is often treated with the somewhat controversial drug Ritalin®, which is thought to work by stimulating the attention-focusing structures of the brain.

Etymology

Origin of attention deficit disorder

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

There remains no settled science on a causal link between Tylenol and autism or attention deficit disorder.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 29, 2025

Hanna first denied having any issues, chalking up his forgetfulness and mild cognitive impairment to old age and his longtime attention deficit disorder.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 21, 2023

As well as dyslexia, Sir Richard thinks he probably has attention deficit disorder, and acknowledged he does get bored easily.

From BBC • May 3, 2023

That same day, SBF’s legal team asked the judge to release the accused fraudster on $250,000 bail on account of his vegan diet and attention deficit disorder that requires medication.

From Washington Times • Dec. 15, 2022

He was, after all, a doctor, and he suspected that the teacher was trying to tell them that he had failed to diagnose attention deficit disorder in his own son.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis