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# distraction

noun (distraction, distractions)

«distraction» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Something that takes your attention away from what you should be doing: «Phones are a distraction in class». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/distraction/#m1)
2. Something fun that takes your mind off worries; an amusement. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/distraction/#m2)
3. (formal) A state of great worry or confusion: «driven to distraction». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/distraction/#m3)

### In the lessons

At school: distractions such as noise, phones or chatting make learning hard; teachers remove distractions. Safety: distraction while crossing roads or driving causes accidents. In stories: a character may cause a distraction so another can escape. Phrases: «a welcome distraction», «drive someone to distraction», «cause a distraction», «without distraction».

### Examples

- Phones are a big distraction during homework. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/distraction/#x1)
- The dog barking was a distraction during the test. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/distraction/#x2)
- While Tom caused a distraction, Mia grabbed the key. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/distraction/#x3)
- Playing football was a welcome distraction from his worries. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/distraction/#x4)
- The noise from the road drives Mum to distraction. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/distraction/#x5)
- Never let anything be a distraction when you cross the road. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/distraction/#x6)
- We need a quiet room without distractions. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/distraction/#x7)

### Note

Countable. Verb: «distract»; adjective: «distracted» (not paying attention). Do not confuse with «destruction» (destroying) or «detraction».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «distraction» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/distraction/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«distraction» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/distraction.html) on Mova free.