attention

Definition of attention

[mass noun]

1notice taken of someone or something; the regarding of someone or something as interesting or important:he drew attention to three spelling mistakes
the mental faculty of considering or taking notice of someone or something:he turned his attention to the educational system

2the action of dealing with or taking special care of someone or something:her business needed her attention he was found guilty of failing to give a patient adequate medical attention
(attentions) things done to express interest in or please someone:she felt flattered by his attentions

3 Military a position assumed by a soldier, standing very straight with the feet together and the arms straight down the sides of the body:Saunders stood stolidly to attention
[as exclamation] an order to assume a straight standing position.

Phrases

pay attention: take notice of someone or something:students used to know how to pay attention, even when the lecture was boring if you pay attention to one thing, you have to ignore something else you’ve never paid that much attention to her opinions

late Middle English: from Latin attentio(n-), from the verb attendere (see attend)

Remember that attention is spelled with a double t; the ending is -tion.

Definition of attention in the US English dictionary