attention

play

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

Definition of attention

1a : 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
3a : 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 The troops stood at attention. = The troops stood to attention. —often used as a command

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

BNP has little choice than to hunker down and hope the attention will pass.

— The Economist, "A long reckoningBNP Paribas faces accusations over the Rwandan genocide", 5 July 2017
Familia, who was in critical condition from her head injury, died shortly before 4 a.m. Fellow officers stood at attention and saluted as her body was transported from the hospital to the medical examiner’s office.

— jen kirby, Daily Intelligencer, "NYPD Officer Fatally Shot While Sitting in Police Truck in Bronx", 5 July 2017
His case received international attention after some dubbed him a child soldier.

— rob gillies, miamiherald, "Canada to apologize, pay former Guantánamo prisoner Omar Khadr", 4 July 2017
Owner Deedee Mills, who already has The Mayo Bird and The Summit Room in Dilworth, is good at paying attention to details, and those details stood out.

— kathleen purvis and corey inscoe, charlotteobserver, "7 things we already love at The Packhouse", 3 July 2017
Written by Nashville creator Callie Khouri and directed by Ridley Scott, the story of an Arkansas housewife and a waitress's wild road trip attracted A-list attention from the beginning.

— maria carter, Country Living, "The List of A-Listers Who Almost Played Thelma and Louise Is Surprisingly Long", 30 June 2017
At first, the reality star's lush green lawn and luxury pool will steal all of your attention.

— lauren smith, House Beautiful, "Kourtney Kardashian's Patio Is the Only Place We Want to Have a Summer Party", 29 June 2017
Gross brought the post to the attention of the Loveland Police Department.

— sheila vilvens, Cincinnati.com, "Facebook comment brings abrupt and dramatic end to Loveland City Council meeting", 28 June 2017
Lester visited the guys who tried to grab their attention.

— rob weinberg, Ramona Sentinel, "Ask Mr. Marketing: What good is that award?", 26 June 2017

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

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First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

ATTENTION Defined for English Language Learners

attention

play

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

play

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

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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
2a: 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 stimulib: the process of focusing consciousness to produce greater vividness and clarity of certain of its contents relative to others