attention
Pluralattentions (some meanings)
Pluralattentions (some meanings)
- 1Mental focus directed toward a particular thing or task.
Her attention drifted as the lecture wore on.
It takes real attention to follow the argument closely.
UsagePay attention to something (not
incorrect: pay attention on). Attention can be caught, held, or lost.Oppositeinattention, distraction, disregard
- 2Practical care, such as treatment or repairs, given to a person or thing that needs it.
Several passengers received medical attention at the scene, but none were seriously hurt.
The roof will need urgent attention before winter, or the leaks will only get worse.
UsageSomething needs, gets, or receives attention, as in medical attention or urgent attention. Needs attention is a gentle way to say something is wrong.
Oppositeneglect
- 3An act or remark that shows concern for or interest in someone, especially romantic interest.
She welcomed his attention but wasn't ready for romance.
The unwanted attentions of a persistent suitor left her uneasy.
UsageOften plural: his attentions. With unwanted or marked, it usually means romantic interest.
Similaradvances, interest, overtures, courtship
Note
The deeds can be caring or courting. In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, a mother's watchful attentions at a sickbed defeat a fever. In Stephen Leacock's Literary Lapses (1910), a young lady's very marked attentions are courtship.
Less common meanings
- 4Said to make a group fall quiet and pay heed to what they are about to be told or shown.
Attention, class! Put your books away and look up here.
Attention, shoppers: the store will close in ten minutes.
UsageUsually followed by the people addressed, Attention, everyone, or softened as Attention, please.
- 5A formal standing position of military alertness, with the body held straight and still.
The recruits remained at attention for several minutes in the heat.
On the order, the platoon came to attention.
UsageSoldiers stand at attention and come or snap to attention.
Oppositeease
Note
The body is upright, with heels together, arms straight at the sides and eyes fixed ahead, and nothing moves unless an order calls for it. The single shouted word, the parade-ground command, is what puts soldiers into it.
- 6A military command ordering soldiers to assume the upright, still position of alertness.
"Attention!" the drill instructor bellowed, and the recruits stiffened.
The corporal gave the order, "Attention!" and the column froze.
Note
The order and the position share one word: the command is the name of the standing position, barked on its own and usually printed with an exclamation mark. The expected reply is stillness, not speech. Away from the parade ground, the same clipped urgency carries over into the general call for quiet.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- The command ATTENTION names the position soldiers must assume. usarcent.army.mil
- Soldiers at attention must remain still and silent. usarcent.army.mil
- 7A neural-network technique that assigns soft weights across input tokens to decide which parts matter most when computing an output.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
From Middle English attencioun, borrowed from Latin attentio, from attendere ("to attend, give heed to"), formed on its past participle attentus. It is essentially "attend" plus the suffix "-tion."
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 5 facts
- Attention comes from Middle English attencioun, borrowed from Latin attentio. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin attentio derives from the verb attendere. en.wiktionary.org
- Attendere means to attend or give heed to. en.wiktionary.org
- Attentus is the perfect passive participle of attendere; the stated derivational order is reversed. en.wiktionary.org
- Attention is equivalent in formation to attend plus -tion. en.wiktionary.org