attention

noun at·ten·tion \ ə-ˈten(t)-shən ; sense 4 often (ə-)ˌten(ch)-ˈhət \

|Updated on: 6 Jul 2018

Definition of attention

1 a : the act or state of applying the mind to something

Our attention was on the game.

You should pay attention to what she says.

b : a condition of readiness for such attention involving especially a selective narrowing or focusing of consciousness and receptivity

Students, do I have your attention?

2 : observation, notice; especially : consideration with a view to action

a problem requiring prompt attention

3 a : an act of civility or courtesy especially in courtship

She welcomed his attentions.

b : sympathetic consideration of the needs and wants of others : attentiveness

She lavished attention on her children.

4 : a position assumed by a soldier with heels together, body erect, arms at the sides, and eyes to the front

(US) The troops stood at attention. = (British) The troops stood to attention.

—often used as a command

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attentional

play \-ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)nəl\ adjective

See attention defined for English-language learners

See attention defined for kids

Examples of attention in a Sentence

We focused our attention on this particular poem.
My attention wasn't really on the game.
You need to pay more attention in school.
She likes all the attention she is getting from the media.
The actor avoids drawing attention to himself.
The book has received national attention.
The trial is getting a lot of public attention.
The children were competing for the teacher's attention.
A cat on a leash is sure to attract attention.
I would like to call your attention to a problem we are having.

Recent Examples of attention from the Web

So Anta remotely set off the car alarm to draw the driver's attention to the car with the unconscious driver.

— jamie l. lareau, Detroit Free Press, "How OnStar prepares to save your life," 3 July 2018
But a video tour shows the attention to detail with design elements inspired by Lincoln Logs, Rubik’s Cube and Barrel of Monkeys.

— matthew j. palm, OrlandoSentinel.com, "How does Orlando's Toy Story Land stack up against its predecessors?," 3 July 2018
Despite scoring the goal to put Brazil ahead in the match, Neymar’s tangle with former Watford defender Miguel Layun in the technical area is what caught the most attention.

— SI.com, "Neymar Fires Back at Critics Trying to 'Undermine’ Him Following Play Acting Accusations," 3 July 2018
The other two featured giants, while less overtly regal in their dress and demeanor, command reverence and attention in their own way.

— ryan p. smith, Smithsonian, "For Hundreds of Years, Papier-Mâché Has Lent a Surreal Face to Catalan Culture," 3 July 2018
Some of these children were painfully shy and needed the special attention a one-on-one mentoring relationship offers.

— don stacom, Courant Community, "After Helping 250 'Beyond School Walls' Youth, New Britain Social Worker Retires," 3 July 2018
With the drama behind LeBron James all wrapped up, some attention on NBA free agency has waned, but there's still plenty of talent unsigned.

— matt young, Houston Chronicle, "Who's left?: Best NBA free agents still available," 3 July 2018
Rural Tier 1 counties need a great deal of attention and resources related to educational preparation for students and teachers.

— charlotteobserver, "Ashley Christensen," 3 July 2018
The same Alan Dershowitz has been hyper-critical of Black Lives Matter, saying the movement focuses too much attention on the unequal treatment of black people while not focusing enough on due process for the white police officers that kill them.

— monique judge, The Root, "Rich White People Shunning Other Rich White People For Supporting Donald Trump Is Hilarious," 2 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'attention.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of attention

Middle English attencioun, from Latin attention-, attentio, from attendere — see attend

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

attention Synonyms

ATTENTION Defined for English Language Learners

attention

noun

Definition of attention for English Language Learners

: the act or power of carefully thinking about, listening to, or watching someone or something
: notice, interest, or awareness
: special care or treatment

ATTENTION Defined for Kids

attention

noun at·ten·tion \ ə-ˈten-shən \

Definition of attention for Students

1 : the act or the power of fixing the mind on something : careful listening or watching

Pay attention to what happens next.

2 : notice, interest, or awareness

attract attention

3 : careful thinking about something so as to be able to take action on it

This matter requires immediate attention.

4 : special care or treatment

His scrape did not require medical attention.

5 : an act of kindness or politeness

His hospitable attentions were brief … being confined to a shake of a hand …
—Washington Irving, “Sleepy Hollow”

6 : the way a soldier stands with the body stiff and straight, heels together, and arms at the sides

Medical Dictionary

attention

noun at·ten·tion \ ə-ˈten-chən \

medical Definition of attention

1 : the act or state of attending : the application of the mind to any object of sense or thought

2 a : an organismic condition of selective awareness or perceptual receptivity; specifically : the complex of neuromuscular adjustments that permit maximum excitability or responsiveness to a given class of stimuli

b : the process of focusing consciousness to produce greater vividness and clarity of certain of its contents relative to others

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