distraction
noun
dis·trac·tion
di-ˈstrak-shən 
1
: something that distracts : an object that directs one's attention away from something else
turned off her phone to limit distractions
One created a distraction while the other grabbed the money.
2
: the act of distracting or the state of being distracted
especially
: mental confusion
driven to distraction by their endless chatter
Synonyms
Examples of distraction in a Sentence
It was hard to work with so many distractions.
One of them created a distraction while the other grabbed the money.
A weekend at the beach was a good distraction from her troubles.
Their endless chatter drove her to distraction.
Recent Examples on the Web
Director Surya reveals an assured command of the form, delivering enough satisfying bone-crushing and knife-wielding sequences to satisfy undemanding, action-craving viewers looking for mindless distraction on a weekend night.
—
Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 June 2024
While minimalism discourages any distractions from its simplicity and clean lines, midimalism allows for more personality with colorful books, a gallery wall, and other items that make a space feel like home.
—Sharon Greenthal, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2024
Nationwide’s head of personal lines Casey Kempton on Wednesday told Insurance Business that features like GPS, music apps, and others can be major distractions.
—William Gavin, Quartz, 20 June 2024
Still, numerous states and federal lawmakers have pushed for legislation clamping down on social media platforms, arguing that tech companies’ products are to blame for eating disorders, sleeplessness, distraction and, in some cases, self-harm and suicide.
—Brian Fung, CNN, 20 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for distraction 
Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 June 2024
While minimalism discourages any distractions from its simplicity and clean lines, midimalism allows for more personality with colorful books, a gallery wall, and other items that make a space feel like home.
—Sharon Greenthal, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2024
Nationwide’s head of personal lines Casey Kempton on Wednesday told Insurance Business that features like GPS, music apps, and others can be major distractions.
—William Gavin, Quartz, 20 June 2024
Still, numerous states and federal lawmakers have pushed for legislation clamping down on social media platforms, arguing that tech companies’ products are to blame for eating disorders, sleeplessness, distraction and, in some cases, self-harm and suicide.
—Brian Fung, CNN, 20 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for distraction
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'distraction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near distraction
Cite this Entry
“Distraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distraction. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
distraction
noun
dis·trac·tion
dis-ˈtrak-shən
1
: the act of distracting : the state of being distracted
especially
: mental confusion
2
a
: something that makes it hard to pay attention
Medical Definition
distraction
noun
dis·trac·tion
dis-ˈtrak-shən
1
a
: diversion of the attention
b
: mental confusion
2
: excessive separation (as from improper traction) of fracture fragments
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