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

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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

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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

Once Iñárritu peels the skin off, he resumes taking cheap shots at the exposed wound, reducing our connection to art to a distraction.

From Salon ● Oct. 5, 2026

The drinks are a new target for schools, which say they are a distraction and a threat to student health.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026

It had driven me to distraction to not know, made it harder to keep moving day after day without understanding what was on our heels.

From "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline

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

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 25, 2026

Shortly after I graduated from college, the internet became a global presence, and claims on my attention and everyone else’s mushroomed into a multitude of distractions.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 13, 2026

A mobile phone ban was introduced at the school two years ago to reduce distractions - an approach which is commended by the new report.

From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026

A substitute for distractions, when we go on enjoying all the old fooleries to the very last?

From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley

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Related Words

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

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