attention
the act or faculty of attending, especially by directing the mind to an object.
Psychology.
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.
a state of consciousness characterized by such concentration.
a capacity to maintain selective or sustained concentration.
observant care; consideration: Individual attention is given to each child.
civility or courtesy: attention to a guest.
notice or awareness: His deliberate cough caught the waiter's attention.
attentions, acts of courtesy or devotion indicating affection, as in courtship.
Military. an erect position with eyes to the front, arms to the sides, and heels together (often used as a command).
Origin of attention
1Other words for attention
Other words from attention
- at·ten·tion·al, adjective
- o·ver·at·ten·tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use attention in a sentence
The next frontierDinh said Bjerg’s leadership and attention to detail should carry over to his new coaching role, in which he will have the added legitimacy of still being one of the top players at his position were he to suit up.
I read this and paused as a long-ago memory started poking and prodding for my attention.
Eighty years of memories that will stir readers’ own | Connie Schultz | November 20, 2020 | Washington PostHuffington left in 2016 to turn her attention to her wellness startup.
BuzzFeed buys HuffPost from Verizon in latest new-media deal | Verne Kopytoff | November 19, 2020 | FortuneIt’s the latter that’s getting much of the attention these days.
The hydrogen economy: Hyped for years, the most abundant element in the universe is finally having its moment | kdunn6 | November 19, 2020 | FortuneAlthough their intended audience is a group of never more than eight ticket buyers across the street, such a sight can draw attention from passersby.
Looking from the outside in, ‘Voyeur’ reimagines the life of Toulouse-Lautrec | Jose Solís | November 19, 2020 | Washington Post
But it exploits human attentional flaws: we tend to look at the headline number and ignore the details.
British Dictionary definitions for attention
/ (əˈtɛnʃən) /
concentrated direction of the mind, esp to a problem or task
consideration, notice, or observation: a new matter has come to our attention
detailed care or special treatment: to pay attention to one's appearance
(usually plural) an act of consideration, courtesy, or gallantry indicating affection or love: attentions given to a lover
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
psychol the act of concentrating on any one of a set of objects or thoughts: See also selective attention
the order to be alert or to adopt a position of formal military alertness
Origin of attention
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with attention
see pay attention.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Browse