attention
/ə'tenʃn/
Definition
- Noun:
- A state of focused mental concentration: The act or power of directing one's mind to a specific object, thought, or activity.
- Consideration or notice: The act of treating something or someone as interesting or important.
- Care or treatment: The provision of what is necessary for the health, welfare, or maintenance of someone or something.
- A courteous or affectionate act: (Often plural) Acts of kindness or consideration that show affection or regard.
- A military posture: A stiff, upright stance with arms at the sides and feet together, used as a formal position of readiness or respect.
Examples of Usage
- Noun (Mental Concentration):
- This task requires your full attention.
- He listened with rapt attention.
- Noun (Notice/Consideration):
- The issue has come to public attention.
- She likes being the center of attention.
- Noun (Care/Treatment):
- The patient requires immediate medical attention.
- This old machine needs constant attention.
- Noun (Courteous Acts):
- He showered her with little attentions, like bringing her coffee.
- Noun (Military Posture):
- The soldiers snapped to attention when the general entered.
Advanced Usage
- "to pay attention (to)": To listen to, watch, or consider something or someone carefully.
- Please pay attention to the safety instructions.
- "to attract/draw attention (to)": To make people notice something.
- The bright colors are meant to attract attention.
- "to hold someone's attention": To keep someone interested.
- The speaker's story held the audience's attention for an hour.
- "for the attention of (FAO)": A phrase used on documents to indicate the intended recipient.
- The memo was marked 'For the attention of the department head.'
Variants and Related Words
- Attentive (adjective): Paying close attention; observant.
- He was an attentive student.
- Attend (verb): To be present at; to pay attention to; to take care of.
- She will attend the meeting. / Nurses attend to the wounded.
- Attention span (noun phrase): The length of time one can concentrate on a task.
- Children often have a short attention span.
Synonyms
- Heed: To pay attention to (more formal).
- Notice: The fact of observing or paying attention to something.
- Care: The provision of what is necessary for health or protection.
- Consideration: Careful thought, typically over a period of time.
Related Phrases
- Stand at attention: To assume the formal military posture.
- The guards stood at attention throughout the ceremony.
- Call attention to: To point something out; to make people aware of something.
- The report calls attention to the rising costs.
- Attention to detail: The careful noticing of all the small elements of something.
- This craftwork shows remarkable attention to detail.
Related Idioms
- Attention deficit: (Often in "attention deficit disorder") A condition marked by an ongoing pattern of inattention.
- Lavish attentions on: To give someone a lot of affectionate or flattering care.
- He lavished his attentions on the new guest.
Noun
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a motionless erect stance with arms at the sides and feet together; assumed by military personnel during drill or review
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the troops stood at attention
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the faculty or power of mental concentration
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keeping track of all the details requires your complete attention
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a courteous act indicating affection
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she tried to win his heart with her many attentions
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a general interest that leads people to want to know more
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She was the center of attention
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the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
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no medical care was required
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the old car needs constant attention
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the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
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