diversion

play

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

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

When a juvenile is arrested or detained by police officers on the streets, they can be referred to diversion programs or other alternatives to going into custody.

— greg moran, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Juvenile crime rates plummet amid new approaches to tackling youth crime," 19 Aug. 2017
Woods, a 14-time majors champion, will likely enter a first-time DUI offender diversion program that could leave him with a clear record.

— manny navarro, miamiherald, "Tiger Woods had five drugs in his system – including marijuana – night of DUI arrest," 15 Aug. 2017
But the sport remains a niche diversion in the States.

— christopher clarey, New York Times, "Russians Compete at World Championships, but Not for Their Country," 13 Aug. 2017
But somehow the show delivers a not insubstantial diversion, TV's bread and butter.

— corey atad, Esquire, "Netflix's Ozark Might Be Too Much Like Breaking Bad for Its Own Good," 24 July 2017
A water line break was causing traffic diversions on Payne Street, city and water company officials said Friday.

— james bruggers, The Courier-Journal, "Water line break closes Payne Street west of Lexington Avenue," 21 July 2017
Tokyo built a massive underground flood diversion facility and New York is planning a protection system around lower Manhattan.

— oliver suess, Bloomberg.com, "Who Pays for the Rising Cost of Natural Disasters: QuickTake Q&A," 18 July 2017
Following are some of the season's most promising literary diversions.

— meredith maran, chicagotribune.com, "Why do we care if celebrities are like us? A new book investigates," 18 July 2017
Why comes part and parcel with a serious reckoning of teen suicide; makeup and skincare are not just diversions, but methods of self-care.

— melanie mignucci, Teen Vogue, "A Look at Green Carpet Fashion Competition Judging with Livia Firth and Elaine Welteroth," 13 July 2017

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

See Words from the same year

diversion Synonyms

Synonyms

delight, distraction, fun, divertissement, entertainment, pleasure, recreation

Antonyms

bore, bummer, downer, drag

Related Words

escape, pastime, time killer; binge, fling, frolic, gambol, lark, revel, rollick, romp, spree; frolicking, rollicking; carousing, conviviality, festivity, gaiety (also gayety), hilarity, jollification, jollity, merrymaking, reveling (or revelling), revelry, whoopee; picnic; laugh, riot, scream; activity, game

Near Antonyms

killjoy, party pooper

DIVERSION Defined for English Language Learners

diversion

play

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

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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

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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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