attention
noun
at·ten·tion
ə-ˈten(t)-shən 
sense 4 often (ə-)ˌten(ch)-ˈhət
1
a
: the act or state of applying the mind to something
Our attention was on the game.
You should pay attention to what she says.
b
: a condition of readiness for such attention involving especially a selective narrowing or focusing of consciousness and receptivity
Students, do I have your attention?
2
: observation, notice
especially
: consideration with a view to action
a problem requiring prompt attention
3
a
: an act of civility or courtesy especially in courtship
She welcomed his attentions.
b
: sympathetic consideration of the needs and wants of others : attentiveness
She lavished attention on her children.
4
: a position assumed by a soldier with heels together, body erect, arms at the sides, and eyes to the front
(US) The troops stood at attention. = (British) The troops stood to attention.
—often used as a command
Examples of attention in a Sentence
We focused our attention on this particular poem.
My attention wasn't really on the game.
You need to pay more attention in school.
She likes all the attention she is getting from the media.
The actor avoids drawing attention to himself.
The book has received national attention.
The trial is getting a lot of public attention.
The children were competing for the teacher's attention.
A cat on a leash is sure to attract attention.
I would like to call your attention to a problem we are having.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Red Storm, an afterthought for so long, are now receiving attention in New York City and beyond.
—
Tim Casey, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Flares were used to capture the pilot's attention as NORAD's F-16 jets escorted the aircraft away from the area.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
Traditional Folklore in Romania Photo: Getty Images Ranked as one of our 10 best places to visit in 2025, Romania recently garnered attention for its appearance in Robert Eggers’s adaptation of Nosferatu.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2025
Tucker, a junior at Brookville High School, received medical attention and was diagnosed as having suffered a concussion and a possible skull fracture.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for attention
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Tim Casey, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Flares were used to capture the pilot's attention as NORAD's F-16 jets escorted the aircraft away from the area.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
Traditional Folklore in Romania Photo: Getty Images Ranked as one of our 10 best places to visit in 2025, Romania recently garnered attention for its appearance in Robert Eggers’s adaptation of Nosferatu.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2025
Tucker, a junior at Brookville High School, received medical attention and was diagnosed as having suffered a concussion and a possible skull fracture.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for attention
Cite this Entry
“Attention.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attention. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
attention
noun
at·ten·tion
ə-ˈten-chən
1
: the act or power of fixing one's mind upon something : careful listening or watching
pay attention
2
3
: an act of kindness, care, or courtesy
4
: a posture taken by a soldier with the body stiff and straight, heels together, and arms at the sides
Medical Definition
attention
noun
at·ten·tion
ə-ˈten-chən
1
: the act or state of attending : the application of the mind to any object of sense or thought
2
a
: an organismic condition of selective awareness or perceptual receptivity
specifically
: the complex of neuromuscular adjustments that permit maximum excitability or responsiveness to a given class of stimuli
b
: the process of focusing consciousness to produce greater vividness and clarity of certain of its contents relative to others
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share