attention span

Save This Word!

noun

the interval during which an individual can concentrate, as on a single object, idea, or activity.

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!

Set some time apart to test your bracket symbol knowledge, and see if you can keep your parentheses, squares, curlies, and angles all straight!

Question 1 of 7

Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?

First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.

First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.

First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of attention span

First recorded in 1930–35

Words nearby attention span

attention, attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, attention-getting, attention line, attention span, attentive, attentively, attenuant, attenuate, attenuated

Example sentences from the Web for attention span

Especially this past year with virtual events where attention spans are already stretched.
Keep your presentation actionable and 5 other tips for a successful virtual session; Thursday’s daily brief|Kathy Bushman|March 25, 2021|Search Engine Land
Unsurprisingly, this led to unpleasant side effects like irritability, dehydration and a shrinking attention span.
How to Work from Home Without Burning Out|Laura Entis|February 16, 2021|Time
Even in the age of short attention spans, one doesn’t quickly forget an image of a man in a fleece vest unsuccessfully attempting to kick over a headless buzzing robot in an empty parking lot.
2020 will change the way we look at robotics|Brian Heater|December 30, 2020|TechCrunch
Provided that customers’ attention span was eight seconds in 2020, as stated by Oracle, it’s obvious that capturing this attention will only get harder for brands with time.
Jingle all the way: What will 2021 mean to the advertising world?|Alex Zakrevsky|December 25, 2020|Search Engine Watch

Human attention spans are measured in seconds and they’re shrinking.
Podcast: When your face is your ticket|Tate Ryan-Mosley|December 21, 2020|MIT Technology Review
One witness said the gunfire began after a traffic collision, which drew the attention of a nearby police officer.
France Mourns—and Hunts|Nico Hines, Christopher Dickey|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
First, they allow Paul to siphon off attention from whichever potential candidate is making news.
Rand Paul’s Passive-Aggressive Trolling Campaign|Olivia Nuzzi|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In short, fatherhood gets little attention in policy debates.
How Good Dads Can Change the World|Gary Barker, PhD, Michael Kaufman|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Anyone who tries to draw attention to threats instead of quietly burying them is worsening the problem.
Cover-Ups and Concern Trolls: Actually, It's About Ethics in Suicide Journalism|Arthur Chu|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In an effort to gain early attention, he focused his attention on the Iowa precinct caucuses, which had never mattered much.
The World’s Toughest Political Quiz|Jeff Greenfield|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This attracted much attention, and the London journals praised the artist.
Women in the fine arts, from the Seventh Century B.C. to the Twentieth Century A.D.|Clara Erskine Clement
His parents were peasants and he wrought as a day laborer till he attracted attention.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
The little crowd and the boats on the beach were right under them and no one paid any attention or seemed to be in a hurry.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
The card table profitably occupies some six to eight hours daily of these old fellows' attention.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
Claude de Vert died; he devoted much attention to the ceremonies of the church of Rome, of which he wrote a history.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY