distraction
n. C / Un. something that takes your attention away from what you are doing. It can be a noise, a thought, or an activity that stops you from focusing.
n. a thing that prevents someone from giving their full attention to something else. Often used in the context of cognitive focus or productivity.
The loud music was a constant distraction while I tried to study.
Modern offices are full of potential distractions, from pinging email notifications to the hum of nearby conversations.
The philosopher argued that the greatest obstacle to deep thought is not a lack of intelligence, but the constant distraction provided by trivial daily concerns.
Borrowed from Middle French distraction, from Latin distractio. Equivalent to distract + -ion.
Countable when referring to specific instances; uncountable when referring to the general state of being distracted.