ENGLISH
REFERENCE

concentration

n. C / U
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˌkɑnsənˈtɹeɪʃən// UK //kˌɒnsəntɹˈeɪʃən// con·cen·tra·tion General-service

n. the ability to give all your attention to one single task. It also means a large amount of something gathered in one specific place.

n. the action or power of focusing all one's attention; alternatively, the relative amount of a particular substance contained within a solution or mixture.


SIMPLE

I need total concentration to finish this difficult report.

CONTEXTUAL

The high concentration of tech companies in the city center has driven up local rents significantly.

COMPLEX

Maintaining deep concentration during a lecture requires not only interest in the subject matter but also a physical environment free from digital distractions.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From New Latin concentrātiō (“(1550) action or an act of coming together at a single place; (1659) extraction or separation of one or more of the metals present in an alloy”). Compare French concentration, Spanish concentración, Italian concentrazione (last quarter of 16th century). Equivalent to concentrate + -ion. By surface analysis, con- + centre + -ate + -ion.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the mental faculty of focusing; countable when referring to a specific cluster of things or a chemical measurement.

Pitfall

I lost my concentrateI lost my concentrationLearners often use the verb 'concentrate' when the noun 'concentration' is required.

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