definition of the word attention

< Middle English attencioun < Latin attention < attendere, pp. attentus (“‘to attend, give heed to’”); see attend.

• IPA: /əˈtɛn.ʃən/, SAMPA: /@"tEn.S@n/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

attention (plural attentions)

1. (uncountable) Mental focus.

   Please direct your attention to the following words.

2. (countable, often plural) An action or remark expressing concern for or interest in someone or something, especially romantic interest.
   • 1818, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus, ch. 3,

     She attended her sickbed; her watchful attentions triumphed over the malignity of the distemper.

   • 1910, Stephen Leacock, "How to Avoid Getting Married," in Literary Lapses,

     For some time past I have been the recipient of very marked attentions from a young lady.

3. (uncountable, military) A state of alertness in the standing position.

   The company will now come to attention.

• at attention
• attention deficit disorder
• attention span
• draw attention
• pay attention

Definition from Wiktionary Content avaible with GNU Free Documentation License

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