attention span

noun

: the length of time during which one (such as an individual or a group) is able to concentrate or remain interested

Examples of attention span in a Sentence

people with short attention spans

Recent Examples on the Web

Many artists release music at a rapid pace to keep up with trends and listeners’ short attention spans in the age of social media. — Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026

While Walmart isn’t an official sponsor of the World Cup, either, taking advantage of the social media chatter helps the company glom onto the tournament without paying FIFA for the privilege – especially when attention spans are divided. — Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 8 July 2026

Faced with shrinking attention spans and declining comprehension, schools might have been expected to resist the impulse toward shorter passages and shallower reading. — Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026

Lately, Klassen has brought those anthropomorphic gifts to board books, those indestructible literary objects that are larger than a cellphone and smaller than a tablet and far better than either for your child’s attention span, mood, and gums. — Casey Cep, New Yorker, 7 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for attention span

• assemblyman
• carbofuran
• catamaran
• chipewyan
• illinoian
• newspaperman
• nurseryman
• afghan
• bedpan
• began
• caveman
• chapin

Kids Definition

attention span

noun

: the length of time during which one is able to concentrate or remain interested