diversion

[dih-vur-zhuhn, -shuhn, dahy-]

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.

diversion

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• prediversion noun
• diversional adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of diversion¹

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

Example Sentences

“I agree, but what choice do we have? Food, clothing, shelter, cultural diversions . . . it all seems quite necessary to me.”

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“I am afraid those sword-wielding thespians will be here any moment. Can you create some sort of diversion? It may buy us the time we need to escape.”

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But these convoluted John le Carré diversions are not engaging, and the attempts to enrich the characters are clunky.

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Scipio countered with veterans of superior training and experience, who sowed chaos among Hannibal’s soldiers and elephants with well-timed blows and diversions.

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It was a diversion from the familiar routine of picking which team would win.

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Related Words

• amusement 
• distraction 
• fun 
• pastime 
• pleasure