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
Share [Findings] Neuropsychologists developed a shorter IQ test for children with shorter attention spans.
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Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 8 Nov. 2023
The economic model targets fleeting attention spans, making layered artistry challenging.
—Anto Dotcom, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2023
As a practice, even brief bouts of mindfulness meditation have been shown to improve attention span, according to a study in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience.
—Brian Underwood, Women's Health, 4 Sep. 2023
Unlike a real royal meal, the rice plate doesn’t require an investment of time, as the kitchen trots out one dish after another in a 19th-century procession that can tax our 21st-century attention spans.
—Tim Carman, Washington Post, 30 Oct. 2023
Valencia thinks that the short, snappy tees could be a signal of our reliance on social media and our ever-shortening attention spans.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2023
The decision to film and edit the movie that way comes off as no mere concession to short attention spans and impatience with stasis.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2023
And while the basic idea of watching a show in three-minute intervals might seem like the perfect fodder for dunks on the average zoomer’s attention span, Rutledge believes TikTok Parts is just another example of how media evolves with newer generations.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2023
And that’s before you factor in the state of the industry: dwindling rates, shrinking page counts, and shortening attention spans (readers’ and my own).
—Christopher Beam, WIRED, 14 Sep. 2023
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Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 8 Nov. 2023
The economic model targets fleeting attention spans, making layered artistry challenging.
—Anto Dotcom, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2023
As a practice, even brief bouts of mindfulness meditation have been shown to improve attention span, according to a study in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience.
—Brian Underwood, Women's Health, 4 Sep. 2023
Unlike a real royal meal, the rice plate doesn’t require an investment of time, as the kitchen trots out one dish after another in a 19th-century procession that can tax our 21st-century attention spans.
—Tim Carman, Washington Post, 30 Oct. 2023
Valencia thinks that the short, snappy tees could be a signal of our reliance on social media and our ever-shortening attention spans.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2023
The decision to film and edit the movie that way comes off as no mere concession to short attention spans and impatience with stasis.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2023
And while the basic idea of watching a show in three-minute intervals might seem like the perfect fodder for dunks on the average zoomer’s attention span, Rutledge believes TikTok Parts is just another example of how media evolves with newer generations.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2023
And that’s before you factor in the state of the industry: dwindling rates, shrinking page counts, and shortening attention spans (readers’ and my own).
—Christopher Beam, WIRED, 14 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'attention span.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1903, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near attention span
Cite this Entry
“Attention span.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attention%20span. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
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Kids Definition
attention span
noun
: the length of time during which one is able to concentrate or remain interested
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