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

Colonists played chess, checkers, dominoes and backgammon, among other diversions.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Overall, trade diversion accounts for only a limited role in recent Chinese export dynamics, with other factors playing a more prominent role,” the economists wrote.

From The Wall Street Journal

Jet2 said it would "vigorously" pursue the cost of the disruption and diversion from the two passengers.

From BBC

"The UK has extremely strong controls on arms exports, including to prevent any diversion. We will continue to take that immensely seriously," Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said in response.

From BBC

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

From BBC

Related Words

• amusement
• distraction
• fun
• pastime
• pleasure