Attention Definition

ə-tĕnshən
noun
The act of close or careful observing or listening.
You'll learn more if you pay attention in class.
American Heritage
The act of keeping one's mind closely on something or the ability to do this; mental concentration.
Webster's New World
The ability or power to keep the mind on something; the ability to concentrate.
We turned our attention to the poem's last stanza.
American Heritage
Mental readiness for such concentration.
Webster's New World
Notice or observation.
Her smile caught my attention.
Webster's New World
interjection
Used as a command to assume an erect military posture.
American Heritage
(military) Used as a command to bring soldiers to the attention position.
Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Attention

Noun

Singular:
attention
Plural:
attentions

Origin of Attention

  • Middle English attencioun from Latin attentiō attentiōn- from attentus past participle of attendere to heed attend

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Middle English attencioun, from Latin attentio, from attendere, past participle attentus (“to attend, give heed to”); see attend.

    From Wiktionary

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