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

Thanks to soccer, often called the world’s beautiful game, many found a needed distraction.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 11, 2026

In a similar statement to some US media on Thursday, Cheung said those tools included "distraction and misdirection," in an apparent reference to the plane swap.

From Barron's ● Jul. 10, 2026

Afterward, U.S. players said the tumult wasn’t a distraction.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026

And, speaking after defeat on the final day at The Oval, McCullum said the episode had been an "unwelcome distraction".

From BBC ● Jun. 21, 2026

Monte Carlo had begun to bore her, and this little illness would make a distraction.

From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier

These cells appear to improve attention by filtering out distractions and directing the brain toward the most important information.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 24, 2026

Iran captain and star striker Mehdi Taremi said before the game he hoped the team that has unified in the face of massive distractions could provide solace during a difficult time.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 16, 2026

How do you pay attention to this amid so many distractions?

From Salon ● Jun. 15, 2026

There are no notifications, no feeds, no comments and no distractions.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 14, 2026

No distractions, nothing to stop myself from blurting the things that come to mind.

From "X: A Novel" by Ilyasah Shabazz

Related Words

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