attention

[ noun uh-ten-shuhn; interjection uh-ten-shuhn ]

/ noun əˈtɛn ʃən; interjection əˌtɛnˈʃʌn /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for attention on Thesaurus.com

noun

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).

OTHER WORDS FOR attention

1 awareness, consciousness, watchfulness, alertness, mindfulness, heed.

4 deference, politeness, regard; respect, homage.

See synonyms for attention on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

TAKE JOY IN ACING THIS QUIZ ON “PRIDE” SYNONYMS

Hold your head up high as you embark on this quiz that explores some of the synonyms and meanings of “pride.”

Question 1 of 7

What does "dignity" mean?

showing self-respect

treating others with kindness

acting selfishly

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of attention

1325–75; Middle English attencioun<Latin attentiōn- (stem of attentiō). See attent, -ion

OTHER WORDS FROM attention

at·ten·tion·al, adjectiveo·ver·at·ten·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

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.
The enduring and ongoing legacy of Bjergsen|Noah Smith|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
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 Post
Huffington 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|Fortune
It’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|Fortune

Although 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.
The Incredible Shrinking Sugar Bag|Megan McArdle|November 15, 2012|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for attention

attention

/ (əˈtɛnʃən) /

noun

concentrated direction of the mind, esp to a problem or task

consideration, notice, or observationa new matter has come to our attention

detailed care or special treatmentto pay attention to one's appearance

(usually plural) an act of consideration, courtesy, or gallantry indicating affection or loveattentions 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 thoughtsSee also selective attention

sentence substitute

the order to be alert or to adopt a position of formal military alertness

Word Origin for attention

C14: from Latin attentiō, from attendere to apply the mind to; see attend

Collins 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

attention

see pay attention.

attention

OTHER WORDS FOR attention

Origin of attention

OTHER WORDS FROM attention

Words related to attention

How to use attention in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for attention

Word Origin for attention

Other Idioms and Phrases with attention