attention span

Definition of attention span

: 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 The television in his alcove dining room off the Oval Office was usually on in the background, catnip for his short attention span. — New York Times, "Stripped of Twitter, Trump Faces a New Challenge: How to Command Attention," 10 Jan. 2021 If the league wants to retain the attention span of fans in a 72-game season during a pandemic, becoming more innovative seems like a no brainer. — Paul Sullivan, chicagotribune.com, "Column: Hey NBA — why play games in empty, cavernous arenas this season? Try high school gyms instead.," 26 Dec. 2020 The average attention span for an 8-year-old is approximately 16 to 40 minutes. — Washington Post, "My third-grader gets distracted during online classes. How can I help?," 2 Dec. 2020 Several geode kits are on the market today, and the best one to get depends on your child’s attention span, curiosity and coordination. — Outdoor Life, "Three Things to Consider Before You Buy a Geode Kit," 23 Nov. 2020 Do not underestimate the the energy and attention span of American political enthusiasts. — Ike Morgan | Imorgan@al.com, al, "‘Down in Alabama’: Doug Jones buzz, trivia for Trebek and a weather preview," 9 Nov. 2020 In general, fashion people sometimes have a short attention span. — Phillip Picardi, Vogue, "Chapter Four: The Making of Seventh on Sale, Fashion’s Biggest Fundraiser," 16 Dec. 2020 Think about a kid’s attention span when picking a task. — Washington Post, "Spooky cookies and more Halloween ideas for celebrating with kids at home," 23 Oct. 2020 Take that time to nurture your attention span and settle in with a good book. — Tessa Bahoosh, USA TODAY, "20 ways to keep busy if you need to quarantine due to travel or exposure," 7 Dec. 2020

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

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Last Updated

25 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Attention span.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attention%20span. Accessed 27 Jan. 2021.

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