divert

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verb di·vert \də-ˈvərt, dī-\

Definition of divert

intransitive verb
: to turn aside : deviate studied law but diverted to diplomacy
transitive verb
1a : to turn from one course or use to another : deflect divert traffic to a side street diverting funds to other projectsb : distract trying to divert her attention
2 : to give pleasure to especially by distracting the attention from what burdens or distresses children diverting themselves with their toys

See divert defined for English-language learners

See divert defined for kids

Examples of divert in a Sentence

Police diverted traffic to a side street.
The stream was diverted toward the farmland.
They were charged with illegally diverting public funds for private use.
He lied to divert attention from the real situation.
They're only proposing the law to divert attention from important issues.

Recent Examples of divert from the Web

The plan, if activated by order of the prime minister and military chief of staff, was to send a small paratrooper force to divert the Egyptian Army in the desert area so that a team could lay preparations for the atomic blast.

— william j. broad and david e. sanger, New York Times, "‘Last Secret’ of 1967 War: Israel’s Doomsday Plan for Nuclear Display", 3 June 2017
The unrest in Marawi has sparked fears that militants might attack elsewhere to divert the focus of thousands of troops trying to quell the siege.

— jim gomez, chicagotribune.com, "Philippine police seek casino attacker's identity", 2 June 2017
The unrest in Marawi had sparked fears that militants might attack elsewhere to divert the focus of thousands of troops trying to quell the siege.

— associated press, Washington Post, "Smoke from fire kills 36 in Philippine casino attack", 2 June 2017
Motorists trying to go north or south on I-15 were diverted to Interstate 5 and Main Street running under the freeway also was closed.

— pauline repard, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Man with knife causes I-15 shutdown in Barrio Logan; surrenders", 2 June 2017
Jet Blue flight diverted after laptop fire A JetBlue flight from New York to San Francisco landed safely in Michigan Tuesday after a passenger's laptop caught fire.

— leada gore, AL.com, "The Alabama county where the most people go hungry", 1 June 2017
Trains that typically go directly to Manhattan will be diverted to Hoboken, where riders will board ferries and trains operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for the final leg.

— elise young, Bloomberg.com, "Penn Station Repairs Could Add 90 Minutes to New Jersey Transit Commutes", 31 May 2017
One way to prevent runoff is to divert water from your gutters to a rain garden--a 6-in.-deep depression filled with water-loving plants.

— alex hutchinson, Popular Mechanics, "How to Plant a Rain Garden", 30 May 2017
Commercial traffic had been diverted to another nearby bridge.

— the associated press, The Seattle Times, "Mexico says operations resume at key U.S. commercial crossing", 29 May 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of divert

Middle English, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French divertir, from Latin divertere to turn in opposite directions, from dis- + vertere to turn — more at worth

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First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of divert

amuse, divert, entertain mean to pass or cause to pass the time pleasantly. amuse suggests that one's attention is engaged lightly. amuse yourselves while I make dinner divert implies distracting attention from worry or routine occupation especially by something funny. a light comedy to divert the tired businessman entertain suggests supplying amusement by specially contrived methods. a magician entertaining children at a party

DIVERT Defined for English Language Learners

divert

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verb

Definition of divert for English Language Learners

: to change the direction or use of (something)
: to take (attention) away from someone or something
: to take the attention of (someone) away from something or someone

DIVERT Defined for Kids

divert

play

verb di·vert \də-ˈvərt, dī-\

Definition of divert for Students

diverted

;

diverting

1 : to turn from one path or use to another Police diverted traffic.
2 : to turn the attention away : distract Bagman opened his mouth to ask Harry something, but Percy diverted him. — J. K. Rowling, Goblet of Fire
3 : to give pleasure to : amuse Paint and paper diverted the children.

Word Root of divert

The Latin word vertere, meaning “to turn” or “to change,” and its form versus give us the roots vert and vers. Words from the Latin vertere have something to do with turning or changing. Anything versatile, or able to do or be used for many different things, can change its task easily. A vertebra is a bone in the spine that allows an animal to turn its head or body. To avert is to turn away. To divert is to turn aside onto a new path. To revert is to turn back to a former way of being.