distraction

American  

[dih-strak-shuhn] / dɪˈstræk ʃən /

noun

• distractions
  plural

1. the act of distracting.

2. the state of being distracted.

3. mental distress or derangement.

   That child will drive me to distraction.

   Synonyms:

   craziness, insanity, lunacy, madness

4. that which distracts, divides the attention, or prevents concentration.

   The distractions of the city interfere with my studies.

5. that which amuses, entertains, or diverts; amusement; entertainment.

   Fishing is his major distraction.

6. division or disorder caused by dissension; tumult.

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distraction British  

/ dɪˈstrækʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of distracting or the state of being distracted

2. something that serves as a diversion or entertainment

3. an interruption; an obstacle to concentration

4. mental turmoil or madness

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• distractions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of distraction

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin distractiōn-, stem of distractiō “separation”; equivalent to distract + -ion

Explanation

A distraction is something that takes your attention away from what you're supposed to be doing. If you just can't keep from checking your email every ten seconds, that's a distraction that's going to interfere with doing your homework. A distraction can also be a pleasant break. If you're worried about your dance recital tomorrow, watching a mindless action flick may be a welcome distraction that helps you relax. Has anyone ever told you, "You're driving me to distraction"? When you're driven to distraction, you're so agitated you feel like you're going crazy. Distraction comes from the Latin dis-, "apart," and trahere, "drag." So distraction is when you're dragged away from your task or from your worries.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

distraction distractions

OK, time to pivot from the slow debasement of public service to a public-service announcement from my colleagues about what to read and listen to if you’re looking for a distraction:

From Slate ● Oct. 8, 2026

Players are allowed to request video reviews of specific judgement points if they believe there has been a hindrance - such as whether a ball has bounced twice, or a distraction has interfered with play.

From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026

Iñárritu reduces our connection to art to a distraction.

From Salon ● Oct. 5, 2026

Yet this year there is a distraction: Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 2026

The way Anthony saw things, each time one of their leaders married, it created one more obstacle, one more distraction that would interfere with the progress of suffrage and women’s rights.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

There are likely to be more distractions almost every day.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

But mindfulness can become tougher as you age, when you’re beset by physical and mental distractions.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 25, 2026

General tips for driving in the rain include slowing down, avoiding distractions and leaving extra room when stopping.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 22, 2026

One in 5 reported that they couldn’t work well because of distractions.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 13, 2026

She talked about finishing college and going to law school, but distractions kept cropping up.

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls

Related Words

• aberration
• complication
• confusion
• disturbance
• diversion
• interference
• interruption