diversion

American  

[dih-vur-zhuhn, -shuhn, dahy-] / dɪˈvɜr ʒən, -ʃən, daɪ- /

noun

1. the act of diverting diverting or turning aside, as from a course or purpose.

   a diversion of industry into the war effort.

2. a channel made to divert the flow of water from one course to another or to direct the flow of water draining from a piece of ground.

3. British. a detour on a highway or road.

4. distraction from business, care, etc.; recreation; amusement; a pastime.

   Movies are his favorite diversion.

5. Military. a feint intended to draw off attention from the point of main attack.

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diversion British  

/ daɪˈvɜːʃən /

noun

1. the act of diverting from a specified course

2. an official detour used by traffic when a main route is closed

3. something that distracts from business, etc; amusement

4. military a feint attack designed to draw an enemy away from the main attack

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Other Word Forms

• diversional adjective
• prediversion noun

Etymology

Origin of diversion

1590–1600; < Medieval Latin dīversiōn- (stem of dīversiō ), equivalent to Latin dīvers ( us ) diverse + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

It was a diversion from previous messaging of always concentrating on themselves.

From BBC

All humanitarian aid to North Korea requires special permission from a United Nations sanctions committee, where the U.S. has frozen approvals for months because of concerns about the diversion of aid supplies.

From The Wall Street Journal

The second diversion has to do with the limits of human desire.

From The Wall Street Journal

North Wales Police added that there were diversions in place and urged people to avoid the area.

From BBC

“Excessive water diversions are killing California’s key salmon runs,” said Barry Nelson, an advisor to the Golden State Salmon Assn., a nonprofit group.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• amusement
• distraction
• fun
• pastime
• pleasure