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

Creuzot, a former state district judge and pioneer of diversion programs that steer low-level offenders from prison into rehabilitation programs, ran on his record. —Gromer Jeffers Jr, Dallas Morning News, 9 Mar. 2026

Now Florida does have laws around diversion, being able to seal records, and yes, those are things that were afforded to me. —March 8, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026

But, Cantin said, if anyone resists leaving, they will be taken to the city’s diversion center where they’ll be offered additional services. —Caroline Silva, AJC.com, 7 Mar. 2026

Andrade’s bill bars any future third-party diversions from money refunded to the state. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 Mar. 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