attention
noun
at·ten·tion
ə-ˈten(t)-shən 
sense 4 often (ə-)ˌten(ch)-ˈhət
1
a
: the act or state of applying the mind to something
Our attention was on the game.
You should pay attention to what she says.
b
: a condition of readiness for such attention involving especially a selective narrowing or focusing of consciousness and receptivity
Students, do I have your attention?
2
: observation, notice
especially
: consideration with a view to action
a problem requiring prompt attention
3
a
: an act of civility or courtesy especially in courtship
She welcomed his attentions.
b
: sympathetic consideration of the needs and wants of others : attentiveness
She lavished attention on her children.
4
: a position assumed by a soldier with heels together, body erect, arms at the sides, and eyes to the front
(US) The troops stood at attention. = (British) The troops stood to attention.
—often used as a command
Examples of attention in a Sentence
We focused our attention on this particular poem.
My attention wasn't really on the game.
You need to pay more attention in school.
She likes all the attention she is getting from the media.
The actor avoids drawing attention to himself.
The book has received national attention.
The trial is getting a lot of public attention.
The children were competing for the teacher's attention.
A cat on a leash is sure to attract attention.
I would like to call your attention to a problem we are having.
Recent Examples on the Web
At the time, then-Trump spokeswoman turned critic Stephanie Grisham slammed media attention of the jacket.
—
Jay Stahl, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
Despite his rising stardom, Brunson has historically redirected attention to team success over individual accolades.
—Cynthia Pong, Jd, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
By then, his case had come to the attention of Jonathan Franks, a U.S.-based publicist and crisis-management consultant who works with families of American hostages.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2025
Connecting the experience to a donation and bringing attention to mental health resources is the ultimate goal.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for attention
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Jay Stahl, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
Despite his rising stardom, Brunson has historically redirected attention to team success over individual accolades.
—Cynthia Pong, Jd, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
By then, his case had come to the attention of Jonathan Franks, a U.S.-based publicist and crisis-management consultant who works with families of American hostages.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2025
Connecting the experience to a donation and bringing attention to mental health resources is the ultimate goal.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for attention
Cite this Entry
“Attention.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attention. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
attention
noun
at·ten·tion
ə-ˈten-chən
1
: the act or power of fixing one's mind upon something : careful listening or watching
pay attention
2
3
: an act of kindness, care, or courtesy
4
: a posture taken by a soldier with the body stiff and straight, heels together, and arms at the sides
Medical Definition
attention
noun
at·ten·tion
ə-ˈten-chən
1
: the act or state of attending : the application of the mind to any object of sense or thought
2
a
: an organismic condition of selective awareness or perceptual receptivity
specifically
: the complex of neuromuscular adjustments that permit maximum excitability or responsiveness to a given class of stimuli
b
: the process of focusing consciousness to produce greater vividness and clarity of certain of its contents relative to others
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