diversion
Americannoun
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diversions
plural
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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
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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.
See Examples For:
Harry Potter fans force diversion of UK-Ireland power link to avoid 'Dobby's grave'
From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026
Hochman also said that his office has made it a priority to aggressively prosecute hate crimes and push back against allowing perpetrators of violent hate crimes to receive mental health diversion.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026
"Shortly before midnight, an unidentified flying object was sighted near Leipzig-Halle Airport, prompting the diversion of several aircraft -- including a passenger plane -- to other airports", they said in a statement.
From Barron's ● Aug. 5, 2026
They say the country has benefited from both long-term production shifts under the China+1 strategy and near-term trade diversion away from China.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 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
The section of the M9 from Junction 3 to Junction 4 northbound and southbound remains closed with local diversions in place.
From BBC ● Aug. 16, 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
Inside was a miniature city where endless diversions from the work-day world offered everything delightful.
From "Homecoming" by Cynthia Voigt
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.
