diversion
Americannoun
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the act of diverting or turning aside, as from a course or purpose.
a diversion of industry into the war effort.
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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.
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British. a detour on a highway or road.
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distraction from business, care, etc.; recreation; amusement; a pastime.
Movies are his favorite diversion.
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Military. a feint intended to draw off attention from the point of main attack.
noun
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the act of diverting from a specified course
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an official detour used by traffic when a main route is closed
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something that distracts from business, etc; amusement
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military a feint attack designed to draw an enemy away from the main attack
Other Word Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing diversion
Unit 1: Telling Details
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The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Mamman was found guilty on 12 counts related to the diversion of funds meant for two hydroelectric power projects.
From BBC • May 20, 2026
That diversion is further proof that decoupling is real: Beijing is rerouting goods because the U.S. market has grown too expensive to serve directly.
From MarketWatch • May 14, 2026
“With $59 million already committed and major diversion and rehabilitation works underway, we are moving decisively,” Alicia Bárcena, the country’s secretary of environment and natural resources, said in a written statement.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026
If you don’t want to paint, watching Ross whisk landscape masterpieces into being within 30 minutes, exercising a sorcerer’s assuredness, is diversion enough.
From Salon • May 2, 2026
Both Jeanne and Jacob silently resolved to grab as many of those old, tattered volumes as they could carry as soon as Michelangelo’s diversion began.
From "The Inquisitor's Tale" by Adam Gidwitz
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
