distraction
Americannoun
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the act of distracting.
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the state of being distracted.
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mental distress or derangement.
That child will drive me to distraction.
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that which distracts, divides the attention, or prevents concentration.
The distractions of the city interfere with my studies.
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that which amuses, entertains, or diverts; amusement; entertainment.
Fishing is his major distraction.
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division or disorder caused by dissension; tumult.
noun
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the act or an instance of distracting or the state of being distracted
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something that serves as a diversion or entertainment
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an interruption; an obstacle to concentration
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mental turmoil or madness
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.
Vocabulary lists containing distraction
Smoke and Mirrors: The Lingo of Illusion and Deception
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Dear Martin
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When Stars Are Scattered
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
And I threw myself into my work, which, lucky for me, brought about a promotion at the perfect time, both financially and for distraction purposes.
From Salon • Jun. 1, 2026
School districts have been implementing phone bans because of classroom distraction as well as students using them to film fights, spread gossip and bully one another.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 30, 2026
Add another distraction to the list for Figma.
From Barron's • May 28, 2026
Fans will come for the sun, the hot dogs, the fun of cheering on someone they know or enjoying a moment of distraction at Los Angeles’ most sacred stadium.
From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026
By way of distraction, I presented Charles with the orchid.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
