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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