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

Tracey Alexander, who lost her home in the fire and is still considering whether to rebuild, said the DSA debate is a distraction.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026

"Authentic creative expression is so much more than a pleasant distraction," continued Dr. Khalil.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 3, 2026

Other delegates bristled that the spat between close allies was an unnecessary distraction.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026

That may be why the expansion of chefs into fashion, social media and other cultural spaces doesn’t necessarily feel like a distraction from food.

From Salon ● Sep. 1, 2026

It was just another distraction and I had to put it out my mind like any other distraction.

From "The Million Dollar Shot" by Dan Gutman

But there are two common denominators across most countries where scores fell: increasing classroom distractions and reliance on artificial intelligence.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 13, 2026

Finally, some downtime, with no distractions, to tackle “Infinite Jest.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026

It's a bit of a punt but, without any distractions in Europe, Chelsea could do very well in the Premier League.

From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026

I couldn’t hear them at all, but I got the impression that those intrusions and distractions were weighing on her.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026

I can even do my homework without distractions, play records, dance, and sing along to my favorite songs.

From "Betty Before X" by Ilyasah Shabazz and Renée Watson

Related Words

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