attraction

noun at·trac·tion \ ə-ˈtrak-shən \

|Updated on: 18 Jun 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

Other festival attractions are carnival rides, food vendors and crafters.

— susan selasky, Detroit Free Press, "Strawberry fest returns to Belleville this weekend," 13 June 2018
The party didn't stop at the end of the route though, as several other attractions were spread out on the northern side of the Great Lawn.

— marty pearl, The Courier-Journal, "A happy, colorful mess hits Waterfront Park with the Color Run 5k," 9 June 2018
Additional block party attractions include performances by DJ Jerry Blavat and the South Philly String Band and a raffle for an autographed Flyers’ jersey, Phillies tickets, and four VIP seats to the Filmore to see the Wonder Years on Friday.

— claire wolters, Philly.com, "Frankie Ann's restaurant hosting opening-day block party," 7 June 2018
Former employees of the park will be at the farm from noon to 4 p.m. to share their memories of Willie the Whale and other park attractions.

— susan soldavin, Howard County Times, "Resident scores big cash, prizes on 'Wheel of Fortune' [Clarksville]," 7 June 2018
Nearby attractions include wine tasting in Sonoita, Elgin and Willcox; Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park and the O.K. Corral in Tombstone; Copper Queen Mine Tour in Bisbee; and Chiricahua National Monument south of Willcox.

— weldon b. johnson, azcentral, "Kartchner Caverns has summer discounts for Arizona residents, military members," 6 June 2018
And no one should miss City of Science, a daylong free fair in Washington Square Park, where the attractions include an astronaut-training simulator and a virtual-reality T. rex.

— laurel graeber, New York Times, "7 Things to Do With Your Kids in N.Y.C. This Weekend," 31 May 2018
The other big attraction involves the Millennium Falcon, though that's pretty hush-hush right now, too.

— candace braun davison, House Beautiful, "Disney Just Spilled Major Details On Its Upcoming Star Wars Land," 29 May 2018
On 10 consecutive Fridays, from June 29 to Aug. 31, admission will be free for theatrical productions, art museums, historic sites, and other attractions.

— alana levene, BostonGlobe.com, "If it’s a Friday, it just might be free," 28 May 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