attention

American  

[uh-ten-shuhn, uh-ten-shuhn] / əˈtɛn ʃən, əˌtɛnˈʃʌn /

noun

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

• attentional adjective
• overattention noun

Etymology

Origin of attention

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English attencioun, from Latin attentiōn-, stem of attentiō; attent -ion

Example Sentences

The transaction initially drew attention as a landmark foreign exit from India's e-commerce sector - before becoming one of the country's most closely watched tax disputes.

From BBC

Singh appeared uncomfortable with the fame that followed and shunned media attention, often skipping award ceremonies.

From BBC

As a result, gold is gaining renewed attention as a hedge and is being more seriously considered and allocated within portfolios.

From The Wall Street Journal

But Starbucks said it had been lifted after a security review recommended he use it for all air travel due to increased media attention and "credible threat actors".

From BBC

Musk is turning his attention to expanding Tesla’s AI capabilities, but the company still has to compete in an increasingly crowded EV market with an aging vehicle lineup and fewer government subsidies to incentivize buyers.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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