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.
In just the last two years, the attention span of shoppers has reduced significantly. Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 8 May 2026 My wild-card contender is Euphoria, the drama that currently has the best claim on the attention span of the TV-watching public. Joe Reid, Vulture, 2 May 2026 Broadly speaking, studies have found that excessive screen time of certain types may have some negative effects on kids, including an increase in anxiety and depression, a reduction in attention span and the ability to manage emotions, lower academic achievements and cognitive issues. Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 30 Apr. 2026 Yet the novel, while uniquely contemporary, joins a larger canon of fragmentary novels that resonate in our digital age of dwindling attention spans. Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026 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 14 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

attention span

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