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

The McCartney sisters, meanwhile, found themselves fronting a campaign for justice that increasingly drew attention to the case.

From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026

Shares of semiconductor companies have soared this year as their chips are needed for the development of AI, attracting a lot of investor attention.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 23, 2026

Yearning for more Holmes, the public turned its attention to Bell just in time for the Ardlamont case to unfold.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026

In a statement, Worth Girvan said her campaign is showing that “while money can buy attention, only trust earns votes.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 23, 2026

She met eyes with her moshom, then returned her attention to Kathy.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

With Gakpo's future up in the air, Liverpool have turned their attentions to Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr after having two bids for Yankuba Minteh rejected by Brighton.

From BBC ● Aug. 31, 2026

But as Savinho takes the next step in his career, City are turning their attentions to the future.

From BBC ● Aug. 23, 2026

Many analysts wonder whether the AI-tied stocks can continue to monopolize investors’ attentions.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 4, 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

Twelve were spearwives, more than capable of defending both themselves and the younger girls from the unwanted attentions of black brothers.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

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Related Words

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

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