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
Sunday’s flight diversions come amid a string of incidents involving aircraft safety in recent weeks.
—
Karina Tsui, CNN, 3 Mar. 2025
There are diversions for younger kids, such as eye-level dioramas for toddlers and fossil identification games for older kids.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025
Parks noted that a diversion program helped close disciplinary cases faster.
—Lia Russell, Sacramento Bee, 28 Feb. 2025
The Great Salt Lake hit a record low in 2022 as a result of drought, climate change and water diversions.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for diversion
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Karina Tsui, CNN, 3 Mar. 2025
There are diversions for younger kids, such as eye-level dioramas for toddlers and fossil identification games for older kids.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025
Parks noted that a diversion program helped close disciplinary cases faster.
—Lia Russell, Sacramento Bee, 28 Feb. 2025
The Great Salt Lake hit a record low in 2022 as a result of drought, climate change and water diversions.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for diversion
Cite this Entry
“Diversion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diversion. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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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