distraction

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the act of distracting

   I am an expert in distraction.

2. 2
   noun

   an entertainment that provokes pleased interest and distracts you from worries and vexations

   I love a pleasant distraction.

3. 3
   noun

   mental turmoil

   They drive me to distraction.

4. 4
   noun

   an obstacle to attention

   The internet is full of distractions.

5. 5
   noun

   Something that distracts.

   Poking one's eye is a good distraction from a hurting toe.

6. 6
   noun

   The process of being distracted.

   We have to reduce distraction in class if we want students to achieve good results.

7. 7
   noun

   Perturbation; disorder; disturbance; confusion.

   It's true that the Copernican Systeme introduceth distraction in the universe of Aristotle.

8. 8
   noun

   Mental disarray; a deranged state of mind; insanity.

   The incessant nightmares drove him to distraction.

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French distraction, from Latin distractio. Equivalent to distract + -ion.