distraction

noun dis·trac·tion \ di-ˈstrak-shən \

Updated on: 12 May 2018

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

play \-ˈstrak-tiv\ adjective

See distraction defined for English-language learners

See distraction defined for kids

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 of distraction from the Web

The congresswoman believes all the talk about jockeying for power in the Capitol is a distraction, something that serves to get in the way of the true struggle, which is to hold the House in November.

— steve kurtz, Fox News, "Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers: Blazing Trails In Congress," 8 May 2018
That process could help clarify the role that distraction, particularly connected to cell phone use, plays in pedestrian fatalities.

— kristi tanner, Detroit Free Press, "Death on foot: Pedestrian fatalities skyrocket in U.S.," 8 May 2018
The New York Times reported on Monday that President Trump was finally tiring of Pruitt’s endless distractions, and is being urged by advisers to fire him.

— benjamin hart, Daily Intelligencer, "Report: Pruitt Fast-tracked Superfund Cleanup After Hugh Hewitt–Brokered Meetings," 8 May 2018
Trump and Giuliani have described the various investigations of the administration as distractions from important issues, like North Korea.

— david jackson, USA TODAY, "Donald Trump: Kim summit site has been picked (and Giuliani needs to get his facts straight)," 4 May 2018
Start by ridding your environment of obstacles—put your phone away, handle any outstanding distractions, and focus.

— lindsey lanquist, SELF, "5 Times in Your Life You Really Need to Be a Better Listener," 2 May 2018
Clutter, distractions, smells, and illnesses spread quickly in a room without partitions.

— atossa abrahamian, Bloomberg.com, "Everyone Hates the Open-Plan Office. It Doesn’t Have to Be That Way," 1 May 2018
Last season, outside distractions kept the Chapelgate softball game from reaching its full potential.

— kyle mcfadden, Howard County Times, "Chapelgate softball gets past Pallotti to remain undefeated in conference play," 1 May 2018
Second is that all the attention surrounding her birth might be a bit of a distraction, People notes.

— megan friedman, Harper's BAZAAR, "Why Kate Middleton Left the Hospital So Quickly After Giving Birth," 23 Apr. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of distraction

see ¹distract

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 2

See Words from the same year

distraction Synonyms

DISTRACTION Defined for English Language Learners

distraction

noun

: something that makes it difficult to think or pay attention
: something that amuses or entertains you so that you do not think about problems, work, etc.
: a state in which you are very annoyed or upset