# distraction

/dɪˈstɹækʃən/ (US) · /dɪstɹˈækʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/distraction
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. something that diverts attention

noun · CEFR B2

something that takes your attention away from what you are supposed to be doing.

For teachers: a thing that prevents someone from giving their full attention to something else.

- I find it hard to work at home because there are so many distractions like the TV and the fridge.
- The constant pinging of smartphone notifications serves as a major distraction for students attempting to engage with complex academic texts.

### 2. the state of being unfocused

noun · CEFR B2

the state of being unable to think clearly because your mind is on something else.

For teachers: the state of being distracted; a lack of mental focus or concentration.

- She stared at the page in distraction, unable to remember what she had just read.
- His distraction was evident during the meeting, as he repeatedly asked colleagues to restate points that had already been clarified.

### 3. extreme agitation

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

a state of being very upset, worried, or confused.

For teachers: extreme mental agitation, distress, or a state of being nearly 'driven mad' by emotion.

- By the end of the long search, the worried parents were driven to distraction.
- The protagonist's mind was in a state of total distraction as he grappled with the weight of his conflicting loyalties.

### 4. medical traction

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a medical technique used to pull bones or joints apart slightly to help them heal.

For teachers: the act of pulling a limb or bone to separate joint surfaces or lengthen a bone.

- The surgeon used distraction to create a small gap in the bone so new tissue could grow.
- The clinical team monitored the patient daily during the distraction phase of the limb-lengthening procedure to ensure proper callus formation.

Usage: Often used in orthopedic surgery contexts regarding bone lengthening.

## Examples

- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.