diversion

di·ver·sion

noun \də-ˈvər-zhən, dī-, -shən\

: the act of changing the direction or use of something : the act of diverting something

: something that people do because it is enjoyable, entertaining, or pleasant

: something that takes attention away from what is happening

Full Definition of DIVERSION

1

:  the act or an instance of diverting from a course, activity, or use :  deviation <bad weather forced the diversion of several flights>

2

:  something that diverts or amuses :  pastime

3

:  an attack or feint that draws the attention and force of an enemy from the point of the principal operation

4

British :  a temporary traffic detour

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Examples of DIVERSION

1. small diversions of river water for irrigation
2. Hiking is one of my favorite diversions.
3. Our town offers few diversions.
4. Sports provide him with a welcome diversion from the pressures of his job.
5. He created a diversion while his partner stole her pocketbook.

First Known Use of DIVERSION

1600

Related to DIVERSION

Synonyms

delight, distraction, fun, divertissement, entertainment, pleasure, recreation

Antonyms

bore, bummer, downer, drag

Related Words

escape, pastime, time killer; binge, fling, frolic, gambol, lark, revel, rollick, romp, spree; frolicking, rollicking; carousing, conviviality, festivity, gaiety (also gayety), hilarity, jollification, jollity, merrymaking, reveling (or revelling), revelry, whoopee; picnic; laugh, riot, scream; activity, game

Near Antonyms

killjoy, party pooper

Rhymes with DIVERSION

aspersion, aversion, coercion, conversion, dispersion, emersion, eversion, excursion, immersion, incursion, inversion, perversion, recursion, reversion, submersion, subversion