distraction

dis·trac·tion

This boy's bird is a distraction from his homework.

noun

The definition of a distraction is something that takes your attention away from something on which you should be focused.

Someone passing notes in class when the teacher is talking is an example of a distraction.

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"distraction." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 07 December 2018. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Distraction>.

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distraction. (n.d.). Retrieved December 07th, 2018, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Distraction

distraction

a distracting or being distracted; confusion
anything that distracts; specif.,
1. a mental intrusion or cause of confusion
2. anything that gives mental relaxation; amusement; diversion
great mental disturbance or distress

Origin of distraction

Middle English distraccioun from Classical Latin distractio

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MLA Style

"distraction." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 07 December 2018. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Distraction>.

APA Style

distraction. (n.d.). Retrieved December 07th, 2018, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Distraction

distraction

noun

The act of distracting, or the condition of being distracted: Inexperienced drivers are especially vulnerable to distraction. His distraction of the child worked well, and the child stopped crying.
Something that makes it difficult to pay attention or that draws attention away from familiar or everyday concerns: was annoyed by the distractions of having so many roommates; found that the shopping mall was always full of pleasant distractions.
Mental or emotional disturbance; agitation or confusion: loved the puppy to distraction; was driven to distraction by the noisy neighbors.

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"distraction." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 07 December 2018. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Distraction>.

APA Style

distraction. (n.d.). Retrieved December 07th, 2018, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Distraction

Noun

(plural distractions)

Something that distracts.
Poking one's eye is a good distraction from a hurting toe.
The process of being distracted.
We have to reduce distraction in class if we want students to achieve good results.
Perturbation; disorder; disturbance; confusion.
Mental disorder; a deranged state of mind; insanity.
The incessant nightmares drove him to distraction.