Definition of “attention” - English Dictionary

American
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“attention” in English

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attentionnoun [ U ]

uk ​ /əˈten.ʃən/ us ​ /əˈten.ʃən/

attention noun [ U ] (NOTICE)

B1 notice, thought, or interest:

Ladies and gentlemen, could I have your attention, please?
They're organizing a campaign to draw people's attention to the environmentally harmful effects of using their cars.
Wait a moment and I'll give you my full/undivided attention (= I'll listen to and think about only you).
After an hour, my attention started to wander (= I stopped taking notice).
get/attract/catch sb's attention

B2 to make someone notice you:

I knocked on the window to get her attention.
pay attention (to sth/sb)

B1 to watch, listen to, or think about something or someone carefully or with interest:

If you don't pay attention now, you'll get it all wrong later.
Don't pay any attention to Nina - she doesn't know what she's talking about.
He wasn't paying attention to the safety instructions.
the centre of attention

› the thing or person that a lot of people notice:

He likes telling jokes and being the centre of attention at parties.
turn your attention(s) to sth/sb

› to start to think about or consider a particular thing or person:

Many countries are starting to turn their attention to new forms of energy.

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Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

(Definition of “attention” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“attention” in American English

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attentionnoun [ U ]

us ​ /əˈten·ʃən/

attention noun [ U ] (NOTICE)

› the act of directing the mind to listen, see, or understand; notice:

In order to learn anything, you have to pay attention.
It’s hard to command the attention of 23 eight-year-olds.
Let me finish this, then I’ll give you my undivided attention.

attention noun [ U ] (CARE)

› time or effort that you are willing to give to help someone or something because you care about that person or thing:

It’s an old house, and it needs a lot of attention.

attentionexclamation, noun [ U ]

us ​ /əˈten·ʃən/

attention exclamation, noun [ U ] (WAY OF STANDING)

› (in the armed forces) an order to stand straight and not move, with your feet together, arms by your sides, and head facing to the front, or this way of standing:

Each cadet stood at attention for inspection.

(Definition of “attention” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

“attention” in Business English

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attentionnoun

uk ​ /əˈtenʃən/ us ​
for the attention of sb written abbreviation FAO, written abbreviation attn

› written on an envelope or at the top of a letter to show who should read it:

Letters should be marked for the attention of Jane Mills.

(Definition of “attention” from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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