attraction

noun

at·​trac·​tion ə-ˈtrak-shən How to pronounce attraction (audio)
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
Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web Based on the Walt Disney theme park attraction of the same name, the Pirates of the Caribbean series consists of five films, with its first three directed by Gore Verbinski as part of a trilogy, and its remaining two as standalone sequels. Yasmeen Hamadeh, People.com, 27 Oct. 2024 But around this time of year, they’re drawn to the historic spa town for another attraction – the longest running documentary film festival in North America. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2024 Yet the town is loaded with attractions just minutes from Interstate 17, including Montezuma Castle, Montezuma Well and Fort Verde State Historic Park. Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 26 Oct. 2024 The Port of Los Angeles will get an amusement park with a large observation wheel as part of West Harbor, the attraction being built to replace Ports O’ Call in San Pedro. Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for attraction 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'attraction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English attraccioun "(in medicine) drawing of diseased matter to the surface, extraction," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French atraction "(in medicine) drawing in of breath, suction," borrowed from Late Latin attractiōn-, attractiō "act of attracting or contracting" (Medieval Latin also "drawing towards, enticement, usurpation"), from Latin attrac-, variant stem of attrahere "to draw with force, compel to come" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at attract

First Known Use

circa 1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of attraction was circa 1575

Dictionary Entries Near attraction

Cite this Entry

“Attraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attraction. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

attraction

noun
at·​trac·​tion ə-ˈtrak-shən How to pronounce attraction (audio)
1
: the act, process, or power of attracting
2
: something that attracts or pleases
3
: a force acting between particles of matter, tending to draw them together, and resisting their separation

Medical Definition

attraction

noun
at·​trac·​tion ə-ˈtrak-shən How to pronounce attraction (audio)
: a force acting mutually between particles of matter, tending to draw them together, and resisting their separation
attract transitive verb

More from Merriam-Webster on attraction

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