attention
noun (countable)
UK/əˈtɛn.ʃən/US/əˈtɛn.ʃən/
A state of readiness or alertness.
Example Sentences
The guard maintained constant attention throughout his shift.
During the emergency drill, everyone was required to be in a state of attention.
Her attention was heightened during the intense competition.
The team's attention to detail ensured the project's success.
He practiced mindfulness to improve his attention and focus.
Attention to safety protocols is essential in the workplace.
The driver remained in attention while navigating through the busy streets.
Maintaining attention during long hours of work can be challenging.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
Concentrated notice or observation directed at a person, task, or event.“Attention” signifies a deliberate or sometimes involuntary focus of the mind on a specific subject, stimulus, or task. In everyday contexts, giving attention can mean actively listening to someone, watching a performance, or noticing details in an environment. In a classroom, “paying attention” means following the lesson closely. In an office, “attention to detail” might be vital for accurate work. Psychologically, attention can be selective—choosing which stimuli to prioritize—and can be limited, requiring people to manage distractions or interruptions. When you say, “Please pay attention,” you’re urging someone to place their mental spotlight on what you’re saying or showing. Attention can also be captured unexpectedly—a startling noise or bright flash might instantly draw everyone’s gaze. Some forms of media or marketing aim to seize and hold attention using vivid visuals or compelling messages, aware that attention is valuable and finite. Overall, “attention” underscores the mental process of noticing, focusing, or being fully aware, shaping how effectively we learn, respond, or remember things in daily life.
Alternatives
Synonyms depend on context. “Focus” is a close synonym, emphasizing concentrated effort or interest. “Notice” and “awareness” lean more toward simple recognition, while “heed” suggests actively following or obeying what one notices. “Concentration” highlights sustained mental effort over time. Each choice shifts the nuance: “attention” can be short-lived or longer, while “focus” and “concentration” stress intensity. In casual usage, “pay mind” or “keep an eye on” can substitute. But “attention” stays the default term for the broad sense of actively observing or responding to stimuli.
Writing
In formal or academic writing about “attention,” clarify whether you’re referencing psychological constructs (like selective, divided, or sustained attention) or a social context (like giving attention to a speaker). You might say, “This study examines how students’ attention spans vary under different instruction modes,” or “Effective design prompts user attention through color contrast.” If discussing cognitive science, link attention to memory, perception, or decision-making. If referencing everyday scenarios—like attention in marketing—describe strategies for capturing it (bold text, bright colors, short headlines). Structuring your writing with clearly stated definitions and examples helps readers follow the role attention plays, whether it’s critical thinking, advertising success, or educational outcomes.
Casual Conversation
In daily chats, “attention” often arises if you or someone else is distracted—“Pay attention!” or “Sorry, you didn’t have my attention.” Parents might urge kids to pay more attention in class, or you might say, “I lost attention halfway through that long meeting.” Friends could note, “He’s craving attention,” meaning someone is acting out to be noticed. Or, “This news story caught my attention,” emphasizing curiosity or initial interest. Sometimes people also discuss “short attention spans,” joking about how quickly they switch from one stimulus to another. Overall, references to attention in casual talk revolve around focusing (or failing to focus) and noticing (or missing) what’s happening around us.
Etymology
“Attention” descends from the Latin “attentio,” formed by “ad-” (to) plus “tendere” (to stretch)—meaning “to stretch toward.” In Middle English, “attencioun” carried the sense of “heedfulness or concentration.” Over centuries, it preserved that core meaning: directing mental energies or observational faculties toward a particular target. With the rise of psychology and modern neuroscience, the term gained more depth—covering not just the act of noticing but also the internal, selective process guiding what we perceive or ignore. Today, “attention” remains central to discussions of cognition, media, and communication, always evoking the idea of turning one’s mind “toward” something.
