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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
He was born and raised in San Mateo County, California, and was described by his parents as a very serious kid with an impressive attention span and memory. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025 PlatinumGames share many of the same predilections at Team Ninja (mainly boobs and violence) but carved their own niche as the creators of hyper-kinetic action games like Bayonetta that stretch the boundaries of what the human attention span can manage. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025 Even now, when there is little that can be called conventional wisdom anymore, one thing everyone seems to agree on is that American attention spans keep getting shorter. Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025 And their attention spans are shorter. Kimberly Zapata, Parents, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for attention span

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of attention span was in 1903

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Attention span.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attention%20span. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

attention span

noun
: the length of time during which one is able to concentrate or remain interested
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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