diversion
noun
di·ver·sion
də-ˈvər-zhən 
dī-,
-shən
1
2
: something that diverts or amuses : pastime
Hiking is one of her favorite diversions.
a welcome diversion from the pressures of the job
3
: an attack or feint that draws the attention and force of an enemy from the point of the principal operation
You create a diversion while I sneak inside the building.
4
British
: a temporary traffic detour
Examples of diversion in a Sentence
small diversions of river water for irrigation
Hiking is one of my favorite diversions.
Our town offers few diversions.
Sports provide him with a welcome diversion from the pressures of his job.
He created a diversion while his partner stole her pocketbook.
Recent Examples on the Web
The goal is to develop a sense of unflappability through any potential diversion, according to the person, while also staying spontaneous enough that the performance doesn’t become robotic.
—
Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
One other person allegedly involved in the shooting, Justin Johnson’s brother Jemarcus Johnson, previously pleaded guilty to three counts of accessory after the fact and sentenced to six years of diversion and community service.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 16 May 2026
Reformers were worried that putting more money into the hands of local school districts, without oversight to ensure that it was being spent effectively, would lead to its diversion into administration and more generous union contracts rather than hands-on instruction for kids who needed it most.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 14 May 2026
The recommendation builds on what the commission found to be a significant gap between export controls, export control enforcement from the government, and corporate compliance programs meant to deter chip diversion.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for diversion
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Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
One other person allegedly involved in the shooting, Justin Johnson’s brother Jemarcus Johnson, previously pleaded guilty to three counts of accessory after the fact and sentenced to six years of diversion and community service.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 16 May 2026
Reformers were worried that putting more money into the hands of local school districts, without oversight to ensure that it was being spent effectively, would lead to its diversion into administration and more generous union contracts rather than hands-on instruction for kids who needed it most.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 14 May 2026
The recommendation builds on what the commission found to be a significant gap between export controls, export control enforcement from the government, and corporate compliance programs meant to deter chip diversion.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for diversion
Cite this Entry
“Diversion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diversion. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
diversion
noun
di·ver·sion
də-ˈvər-zhən
dī-
1
: the act or an instance of diverting or turning aside
2
: something that relaxes, amuses, or entertains
diversionary
adjective
-zhə-ˌner-ē
Legal Definition
diversion
noun
di·ver·sion
də-ˈvər-zhən, dī-
: the act or an instance of diverting: as
a
: an unauthorized rerouting or appropriation
diversion of funds
b
: suspension of the prosecution of a charge for a period of time during which the defendant participates in a rehabilitation program or makes restitution and after which the charges are dismissed if the rehabilitation or restitution is completed compare probation
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