diversion

noun di·ver·sion \ də-ˈvər-zhən , dī- , -shən \

|Updated on: 9 Jun 2018

Examples: diversion in a Sentence

Definition of diversion

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

See diversion defined for English-language learners

See diversion defined for kids

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 of diversion from the Web

Francois entered a pre-trial diversion program after Tallahassee police conducted a search of his apartment finding 17 grams of marijuana among other items on April 12.

— safid deen, OrlandoSentinel.com, "FSU's Willie Taggart says QB Deondre Francois staying on track during offseason," 5 June 2018
Idaho law says that water is accounted for at the point of diversion — in this case, the dam.

— melissa davlin and seth ogilvie, idahostatesman, "These reservoirs keep Boise from flooding. But irrigators don't like how they're run.," 4 June 2018
But there are plenty of outdoor diversions closer to home, too.

— BostonGlobe.com, "Summer guide: Things to do around Boston and Cambridge," 2 June 2018
In Waukesha's case, environmental groups were critical of the diversion, but balked at a legal challenge.

— lee bergquist, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Opponents file legal challenge to Racine's bid to use water from Lake Michigan for Foxconn," 25 May 2018
Yet there are plenty of diversions to keep guests busy.

— nancy trejos, USA TODAY, "Where should Harry and Meghan go for their honeymoon?," 25 May 2018
Tyler Tyler has finished his diversion program, where he was placed as a result of trashing the baseball field.

— chelsea greenwood lassman, Teen Vogue, ""13 Reasons Why" Season 2 Recap: Here's Where All the Characters Stand at the End of the Finale," 25 May 2018
New rules seek to contain the number of leftover pills available for diversion and reduce the number of pain patients who become dependent or suffer serious side effects.

— stacey burling, Philly.com, "Lost in the battle to create fewer new patients addicted to opioids: Longtime pain patients," 24 May 2018
The 21-year-old Francois was not arrested, and entered a pre-trial diversion program.

— creg stephenson, AL.com, "Police suspected Florida State QB Deondre Francois was selling marijuana, reports say," 17 Apr. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of diversion

see diverse

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1600

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

diversion Synonyms

DIVERSION Defined for English Language Learners

diversion

noun

Definition of diversion for English Language Learners

: the act of changing the direction or use of something : the act of diverting something
: something that people do because it is enjoyable, entertaining, or pleasant
: something that takes attention away from what is happening

DIVERSION Defined for Kids

diversion

noun di·ver·sion \ də-ˈvər-zhən , dī- \

Definition of diversion for Students

1 : an act or instance of changing the direction or use of

diversion of the river

2 : something that relaxes, distracts, or entertains

The city offers many diversions for visitors.

Law Dictionary

diversion

noun di·ver·sion \ də-ˈvər-zhən, dī- \

legal Definition of diversion

: 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

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