Definition of distraction
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
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Test Your Vocabulary
Who Knew?
-
- What is a ruelle?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Share distraction
Time Traveler for distraction
The first known use of distraction was in the 15th century
See more words from the same century