diversion

American  

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

noun

• diversions
  plural

1. the act of 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

Derived Forms

• prediversion
  noun
• diversional
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• diversions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of diversion

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

Explanation

A diversion can be something that takes you off the course you are on, like a detour while you are traveling, or a game of tennis that takes you away from the stress of work. The noun diversion and the verb divert are related. Both have to do with a change of focus or direction. When you want a break from something, many diversions are welcome, like a rousing game of “twenty questions” on a long car ride. Conversely, some diversions are unwelcome, like when the guy next to you is texting during your French midterm.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

diversion diversions

For your enjoyment and diversion, my colleagues suggest:

From Slate ● Aug. 21, 2026

While France has built a series of reservoirs and diversion channels along its portion of the Rhine to manage the flows, on the German side the river runs freely and is highly dependent on rainfall.

From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026

A section of the A198, which runs through the village of Longniddry, has been shut by police and a diversion is in place.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

Irritating but never truly dangerous, his antagonism is a safety valve for the class system and a flattering diversion for its proprietors.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

At that moment there was a diversion in the form of a small, red-headed figure in a long nightdress, who appeared in the kitchen, gave a small squeal, and ran out again.

From "Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets" by J. K. Rowling

Flights have since restarted amid delayed take offs and diversions.

From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026

The Energy Department is quick to insist that it will “black box” any nuclear fuel-making plant in Saudi Arabia to prevent military diversions.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026

Backups and diversions have affected residents, commuters and even emergency vehicles, county officials said, as well as created pedestrian safety concerns.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 22, 2026

While much of the album feels appropriately bittersweet, McCartney finds plenty of time for whimsical diversions.

From Salon ● May 12, 2026

I would gaze stony-faced into the distance, beyond such adolescent diversions.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood

Related Words

• amusement
• distraction
• fun
• pastime
• pleasure