diversion

noun

di·​ver·​sion də-ˈvər-zhən 

dī-, 

-shən

1

: the act or an instance of diverting or straying from a course, activity, or use : deviation

Bad weather forced the diversion of several flights.

2

: something that diverts or amuses : pastime

Hiking is one of her favorite diversions.

a welcome diversion from the pressures of the job

3

: an attack or feint that draws the attention and force of an enemy from the point of the principal operation

You create a diversion while I sneak inside the building.

4

British : a temporary traffic detour

Synonyms of diversion

• entertainment
• recreation
• delight
• fun
• pleasure

Examples of diversion in a Sentence

small diversions of river water for irrigation

Hiking is one of my favorite diversions.

Our town offers few diversions.

Sports provide him with a welcome diversion from the pressures of his job.

He created a diversion while his partner stole her pocketbook.

Recent Examples on the Web

The lawyers add that both parties were accepted into a felony pre-trial diversion program in partnership with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, which provides an alternative to traditional prosecution for eligible defendants. —Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026

In 2015, Paxton was indicted on securities fraud charges, and the charges were dropped as part of a pre-trial diversion deal in 2024. —Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 19 May 2026

The goal is to develop a sense of unflappability through any potential diversion, according to the person, while also staying spontaneous enough that the performance doesn’t become robotic. —Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026

One other person allegedly involved in the shooting, Justin Johnson’s brother Jemarcus Johnson, previously pleaded guilty to three counts of accessory after the fact and sentenced to six years of diversion and community service. —Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 16 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English dyversioun "process of diverting superfluous humors," borrowed from Late Latin dīversiōn-, dīversiō "turning away," from Latin dīvertere "to separate oneself (from), be different" and dēvertere "to turn away, divert" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at divert

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for diversion

• aspersion
• aversion
• conversion
• dispersion
• eversion
• excursion
• immersion
• incursion
• inversion
• perversion
• recursion
• reversion

Kids Definition

diversion

noun

di·​ver·​sion də-ˈvər-zhən 

dī-

1

: the act or an instance of diverting or turning aside

2

: something that relaxes, amuses, or entertains

diversionary

-zhə-ˌner-ē

adjective

Legal Definition

diversion

noun

di·​ver·​sion də-ˈvər-zhən, dī- 

: the act or an instance of diverting: as

a

: an unauthorized rerouting or appropriation

diversion of funds

b

: suspension of the prosecution of a charge for a period of time during which the defendant participates in a rehabilitation program or makes restitution and after which the charges are dismissed if the rehabilitation or restitution is completed compare probation

diversionary

-ˈvər-zhə-ˌner-ē, -shə- 

adjective