attraction

noun at·trac·tion \ ə-ˈtrak-shən \

|Updated on: 13 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: attraction in a Sentence

Definition of attraction

1 a : the act, process, or power of attracting

b : personal charm

2 : the action or power of drawing forth a response : an attractive quality

3 : a force acting mutually between particles of matter, tending to draw them together, and resisting their separation

4 : something that attracts or is intended to attract people by appealing to their desires and tastes

coming attractions

See attraction defined for English-language learners

See attraction defined for kids

Examples of attraction in a Sentence

The waterfall continues to be the main attraction at the park.
The town's big attraction for movie lovers is the annual film festival.
She is the star attraction of the show.
There's a strong sexual attraction between them.
His attraction to her grew over the course of their time together.
A good relationship is based on more than just physical attraction.
I understand the attraction of skydiving, but I could never do it.
What are the attractions of owning your own business?

Recent Examples of attraction from the Web

The attraction had already ditched disposable water bottles and plastic bags in gift shops.

— lorraine mirabella, baltimoresun.com, "More eateries, businesses do away with plastic straws," 13 July 2018
Turnout was strong as early as 6 a.m. as people crowded downtown streets that were blocked to vehicle traffic and packed with vendor tents and festival attractions.

— ted slowik, Daily Southtown, "Slowik: Homewood takes spotlight on 'WGN Morning News' live block party broadcast," 13 July 2018
Winter Garden’s downtown district along Plant Street just keeps adding new food and shopping attractions to keep residents and visitors coming back.

— kyle arnold, OrlandoSentinel.com, "6 new things to check out in Winter Garden and 3 coming soon," 13 July 2018
The retired architect and her companions on Tauck's St. Petersburg and the Baltic Sea cruise already have explored the famed St. Petersburg attraction's outrageously ornate public rooms on a private after-hours tour.

— gene sloan, USA TODAY, "Exclusive events, all-inclusive fares: Inside the Tauck formula for small-ship cruising," 13 July 2018
Valid for a week, it can be used to save time spent on small payments and standing in lines, includes free inner-city bus and light-rail use, and offers discounts for main attractions throughout Israel's capital.

— Jewish Journal, "Visitor pass 'connects the dots' in the city of Jerusalem," 12 July 2018
Hurricane Irma wreaked extensive damage at the 83-year-old, family-run attraction in September, downing massive trees.

— chabeli herrera, miamiherald, "Monkey Jungle has reopened. Here is what has happened since the animal-abuse allegations.," 12 July 2018
Those who have visited the Radler gardens before, will encounter some new attractions.

— jane ford-stewart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Always changing stunning Radler gardens to be open to public in Greenfield," 12 July 2018
The attraction that’s drawn the most attention is the 19-foot blimp of adult-baby Donald Trump.

— margaret hartmann, Daily Intelligencer, "Everything You Need to Know About Trump’s Controversial U.K. Visit," 12 July 2018

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

First Known Use of attraction

circa 1575

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

attraction Synonyms

Synonyms

draw, lodestone (also loadstone), magnet;

allure, allurement, bait, enticement, fascination, lure, temptation, turn-on;

appeal, call;

incentive, inducement, persuasion, spur, stimulus;

curiosity, sight(s), spectacle;

Synonym Discussion of attraction

attraction, affinity, sympathy mean the relationship existing between things or persons that are naturally or involuntarily drawn together. attraction implies the possession by one thing of a quality that pulls another to it.

- felt an attraction to danger

affinity implies a susceptibility or predisposition on the part of the one drawn.

- an affinity for mathematics

sympathy implies a reciprocal or natural relation between two things that are both susceptible to the same influence.

- two minds in sympathy

ATTRACTION Defined for English Language Learners

attraction

noun

Definition of attraction for English Language Learners

: something interesting or enjoyable that people want to visit, see, or do
: a performer who people want to see
: a feeling that makes someone romantically or sexually interested in another person