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
Synonyms
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
Last year, Wilson focused on New York’s diversion courts.
—
Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2025
Then, in a wild spring runoff in 1905, the Colorado River blew out a diversion dam, and for the next three years the mighty Colorado drained into the Salton Sink.
—Dennis Hinkamp, The Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2025
Politics often entails angles and illusion, dodges and diversions.
—Mark Z. Barabak, The Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2025
Many residents saw the googly eyes as a funny diversion, but city officials were less amused.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for diversion 
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show current usage.
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Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2025
Then, in a wild spring runoff in 1905, the Colorado River blew out a diversion dam, and for the next three years the mighty Colorado drained into the Salton Sink.
—Dennis Hinkamp, The Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2025
Politics often entails angles and illusion, dodges and diversions.
—Mark Z. Barabak, The Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2025
Many residents saw the googly eyes as a funny diversion, but city officials were less amused.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for diversion
Dictionary Entries Near diversion
Cite this Entry
“Diversion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diversion. Accessed 14 Feb. 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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