distraction

noun

dis·​trac·​tion di-ˈstrak-shən 

1

: something that distracts : an object that directs one's attention away from something else

turned off her phone to limit distractions

One created a distraction while the other grabbed the money.

especially : amusement

a harmless distraction

a book of word puzzles and other distractions

2

: the act of distracting or the state of being distracted

especially : mental confusion

driven to distraction by their endless chatter

distractive

di-ˈstrak-tiv 

adjective

Synonyms

• confusion
• fog
• tangle

Examples of distraction in a Sentence

It was hard to work with so many distractions.

One of them created a distraction while the other grabbed the money.

A weekend at the beach was a good distraction from her troubles.

Their endless chatter drove her to distraction.

Recent Examples on the Web

The dual directives are calling this a safety measure to make roads easier to navigate without distractions. —Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025

Through advertisements on social media, in addition to paper flyers and other communication, the company has sought to convey a simple message: Working in the plant is safe, and the UAW is an unwelcome distraction. —Olivia Evans, The Courier-Journal, 21 Aug. 2025

Debates over car allowances and other minor benefits are distractions at best — especially when every such item is reviewed and approved by the Board. —Ed Gilbert, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025

Expansion is seductive, but distraction wears Prada, too. 1. —Alla Adam, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English distraccioun "state of being distracted, diversion of mind," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French distraccion "inattentiveness," borrowed from Late Latin distractiōn-, distractiō "diversion of mind," going back to Latin, "action of tearing apart," from distrac-, variant stem of distrahere "to pull apart, break up, separate, draw (a person's mind) in contrary directions" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at distract entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for distraction

• abstraction
• attraction
• compaction
• contraction
• detraction
• diffraction
• exaction
• extraction
• impaction
• inaction
• infraction
• olfaction

Kids Definition

distraction

noun

dis·​trac·​tion dis-ˈtrak-shən 

1

: the act of distracting : the state of being distracted

especially : mental confusion

2

a

: something that makes it hard to pay attention

b

: amusement sense 1

distractive

-ˈtrak-tiv 

adjective

Medical Definition

distraction

noun

dis·​trac·​tion dis-ˈtrak-shən 

1

a

: diversion of the attention

b

: mental confusion

2

: excessive separation (as from improper traction) of fracture fragments

distract

dis-ˈtrakt 

transitive verb