attention

Definitions of attention
  1. noun
    the faculty or power of mental concentration
    synonyms: concentration
    see moresee less
    types:
    concentration
    complete attention; intense mental effort
    focalisation
    the concentration of attention or energy on something
    étude
    a state of deep mental absorption
    type of:
    faculté
    one of the inherent cognitive or perceptual powers of the mind
  2. noun
    paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people)
    synonyms: respect
    see moresee less
    type of:
    préoccupation
    the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
  3. noun
    the onset of a corrosive or destructive process (as by a chemical agent)
    see moresee less
    type of:
    dégénérescence
    the process of declining from a higher to a lower level of effective power or vitality or essential quality
  4. noun
    a sudden occurrence of an uncontrollable condition
    synonyms: attaque, crise
    see moresee less
    types:
    show 8 types...
    hide 8 types...
    ictus
    a sudden occurrence (or recurrence) of a disease
    petite crise
    a slight attack of illness
    apoplexie
    a sudden loss of consciousness resulting when the rupture or occlusion of a blood vessel leads to oxygen lack in the brain
    occlusion
    closure or blockage (as of a blood vessel)
    crise cardiaque
    a sudden severe instance of abnormal heart function
    convulsion, paroxysme
    violent uncontrollable contractions of muscles
    épilepsie
    the occurrence of an abrupt, transient loss or impairment of consciousness (which is not subsequently remembered), sometimes with light twitching, fluttering eyelids, etc.; common in petit mal epilepsy
    thrombose
    the formation or presence of a thrombus (a clot of coagulated blood attached at the site of its formation) in a blood vessel
    type of:
    catastrophe, malheur
    a cause of great suffering and distress
  5. noun
    an offensive move in a sport or game
    see moresee less
    type of:
    tour
    (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession
  6. noun
    a threatened or attempted physical attack by someone who appears to be able to cause bodily harm if not stopped
    synonyms: assaut, violence
    see moresee less
    type of:
    aggression
    the act of attacking
  7. noun
    close fighting during the culmination of a military attack
    see moresee less
    type of:
    bataille, lutte
    a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
  8. noun
    strong criticism
    synonyms: critique
    see moresee less
    type of:
    critique
    disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings
  9. noun
    the quality of being careful and painstaking
    see moresee less
    antonyms:
    imprudence, insouciance
    the quality of not being careful or taking pains
    types:
    conscience
    the trait of being painstaking and careful
    fermeté, minutie
    conscientiousness in performing all aspects of a task
    dureté, sévérité
    conscientious attention to rules and details
    type of:
    prévenances
    the trait of being observant and paying attention
  10. noun
    a courteous act indicating affection
    see moresee less
    type of:
    courtoisie, politesse
    a courteous or respectful or considerate act
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘attention'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family

Vocabulary lists containing attention

"Scary Tales," Vocabulary from the essay

As you read Jackie Torrence's "Scary Tales," learn this word list. Here are links to lists for texts in Grade 8's Collection 2: The Tell-Tale Heart, Scary Tales, The Monkey's Paw, What Is the Horror Genre?

"Kids Are Inventors, Too"

Learn these words from the magazine article by Arlene Erlbach (Inside: Level B, Unit 1). Here are our links to the selections of "Imagine the Possibilities" : Hitching a Ride, Crittercam to the Rescue, LAFFF, Kids Are Inventors, Too, Inventing to Solve a Problem, The Evolution of a Great Idea Here are our links to the units of Level B: Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3, Unit 4, Unit 5, Unit 6, Unit 7, Unit 8 Here are our links to the Inside books: Level A, Level B, Level C Here is our link to a list of academic vocabulary for Inside: Academic Vocabulary

"The Challenge"

Learn these words from the short story by Gary Soto (Inside: Level B, Unit 2). Here are our links to the selections of "Play to Your Strengths": The Challenge, Rachel the Clever, A Contest of Riddles, Atalanta's Race, Riddles in the Dark Here are our links to the units of Level B: Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3, Unit 4, Unit 5, Unit 6, Unit 7, Unit 8 Here are our links to the Inside books: Level A, Level B, Level C Here is our link to a list of academic vocabulary for Inside: Academic Vocabulary

MORE VOCABULARY LISTS