attention
Americannoun
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the act or faculty of attending, especially by directing the mind to an object.
- Synonyms:
- heed, mindfulness, alertness, watchfulness, consciousness, awareness
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Psychology.
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a concentration of the mind on a single object or thought, especially one preferentially selected from a complex, with a view to limiting or clarifying receptivity by narrowing the range of stimuli.
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a state of consciousness characterized by such concentration.
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a capacity to maintain selective or sustained concentration.
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observant care; consideration.
Individual attention is given to each child.
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civility or courtesy.
attention to a guest.
- Synonyms:
- homage, respect, regard, politeness, deference
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notice or awareness.
His deliberate cough caught the waiter's attention.
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attentions, acts of courtesy or devotion indicating affection, as in courtship.
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Military. an erect position with eyes to the front, arms to the sides, and heels together (often used as a command).
noun
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concentrated direction of the mind, esp to a problem or task
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consideration, notice, or observation
a new matter has come to our attention
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detailed care or special treatment
to pay attention to one's appearance
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(usually plural) an act of consideration, courtesy, or gallantry indicating affection or love
attentions given to a lover
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the motionless position of formal military alertness, esp in drill when an upright position is assumed with legs and heels together, arms to the sides, head and eyes facing to the front
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psychol the act of concentrating on any one of a set of objects or thoughts See also selective attention
Other Word Forms
- attentional adjective
- overattention noun
Etymology
Origin of attention
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English attencioun, from Latin attentiōn-, stem of attentiō; attent -ion
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"We need to pay attention to climate change predictions and how we can mitigate these weather events through changing the way that we use the natural environment," he said.
From BBC
For those who haven’t been paying attention, start with the case for investing in defense.
"It's really fresh, there's a lot of competition with reality TV, you're trying to get people's attention but you've got that level of escapism and I feel like it's really something special," she adds.
From BBC
"That trend is over and there is a shift in focus. Our attention spans these days is very short."
From BBC
It’s great to see them get the attention.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
