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

Equities markets will be closed for the Good Friday holiday, but the Bureau of Labor Statistics will release its all-important jobs report Friday, perhaps offering some diversion from Middle East headlines.

From Barron's • Mar. 29, 2026

He is reportedly seeking to file a motion for diversion.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026

The diversion added an extra mile and a half and - worse still - took walkers along roads.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

Some vessels have exited the strait after making a brief diversion through a channel between two islands off Iran’s coast, Larak and Qeshm, and hewing close to Iran’s coast.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 17, 2026

On that same day, June 18, the post brought a diversion.

From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman

Related Words

• amusement
• distraction
• fun
• pastime
• pleasure