attention span

American  

noun

• attention spans
  plural

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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• attention spans
  plural

Etymology

Origin of attention span

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

attention span

Garret Martin, a foreign policy expert at American University, said Trump "famously has a short attention span."

From Barron's ● Aug. 25, 2026

The center found that preschool children struggle to learn as much from content with frequent cuts, though consuming it doesn’t impact their attention span negatively, Uhls said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 12, 2026

Given their limited attention span, the last thing a child needs is a film chock-full of loose ends to distract from the crux of the story.

From Salon ● Jun. 6, 2026

Leah Robinson, whose son Owen is also two, says she sees the effects of screen time on the attention span of children as they get older through her work at a school.

From BBC ● Mar. 27, 2026

It was another pigeon, this one with two healthy feet and a noticeably shorter attention span.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris