distraction
noun
dis·trac·tion
di-ˈstrak-shən 
1
: something that distracts : an object that directs one's attention away from something else
turned off her phone to limit distractions
One created a distraction while the other grabbed the money.
2
: the act of distracting or the state of being distracted
especially
: mental confusion
driven to distraction by their endless chatter
Examples of distraction in a Sentence
It was hard to work with so many distractions.
One of them created a distraction while the other grabbed the money.
A weekend at the beach was a good distraction from her troubles.
Their endless chatter drove her to distraction.
Recent Examples on the Web
Later, in his post-match press conference, Pochettino attributed the team’s subpar performance to a bad day rather than external distractions about the Balogun red card.
—
Miami Herald,
7 July 2026
The slim profile is a nice distraction from the chunky dad sneakers that dominated the previous season.
—
Reece Andavolgyi,
InStyle,
5 July 2026
The Knicks’ championship run bled into the start of the World Cup, which served as a local distraction, while all of the other forms of art and entertainment New York certainly haven’t disappeared this summer.
—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
5 July 2026
Consider if the side gig adds unique skills, demonstrates entrepreneurship, or could be perceived as a distraction or conflict of interest.
—
Caroline Ceniza-Levine,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for distraction
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Miami Herald,
7 July 2026
The slim profile is a nice distraction from the chunky dad sneakers that dominated the previous season.
—
Reece Andavolgyi,
InStyle,
5 July 2026
The Knicks’ championship run bled into the start of the World Cup, which served as a local distraction, while all of the other forms of art and entertainment New York certainly haven’t disappeared this summer.
—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
5 July 2026
Consider if the side gig adds unique skills, demonstrates entrepreneurship, or could be perceived as a distraction or conflict of interest.
—
Caroline Ceniza-Levine,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for distraction
Cite this Entry
“Distraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distraction. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
distraction
noun
dis·trac·tion
dis-ˈtrak-shən
1
: the act of distracting : the state of being distracted
especially
: mental confusion
2
a
: something that makes it hard to pay attention
Medical Definition
distraction
noun
dis·trac·tion
dis-ˈtrak-shən
1
a
: diversion of the attention
b
: mental confusion
2
: excessive separation (as from improper traction) of fracture fragments
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