attention

at|ten|tion [ ə`tenʃən ] noun ***

▸ 1 interest/thought

▸ 2 fact that you notice something

▸ 3 special care/treatment

▸ 4 way of standing straight

▸ 5 show of love/interest

▸ + PHRASES

1. ) uncount the interest or thought you give to something you are listening to or watching:

The speaker was dull and their attention soon wandered.

May I please have your attention?

turn your attention to something: It's time now to turn our attention to the committee's recommendations.

undivided/full attention: Please give the demonstration your undivided attention.

hold/keep your attention: The conversation failed to hold my attention.

a ) interest, especially interest that the public has in a person, event, situation, etc.:

Recent violence has focused attention on the issue of racism.

He avoided publicity and disliked the attention his acting brought him.

divert/distract attention from something: They engineered a news story to divert attention from the scandal.

catch someone's attention: What first caught my attention was his voice.

2. ) uncount the fact that you notice something, often something that causes problems:

It had escaped my attention at the time.

something comes to someone's attention: I followed up his request the moment it came to my attention.

draw (someone's) attention to something: I have been asked to draw your attention to the following matters.

bring something to someone's attention: a campaign to bring human rights abuses to the government's attention

3. ) uncount special care, help, or treatment for someone or something:

As the sixth of ten children, he never received much attention.

Your letter will receive immediate attention.

4. ) uncount if people in the military stand to attention or stand at attention, they stand straight with their feet together to show respect or to receive orders

5. ) attentions plural behavior that shows someone that you love them or that you take a great deal of interest in them:

I was flattered by her kind attentions.

She had to deal with the unwelcome attentions of a drunk.

attract (someone's) attention

to make someone notice someone or something:

He waved to attract the attention of the waitress.

The trial has attracted international attention.

for the attention of someone MAINLY BRITISH

used on a business letter to show that you intend it for a particular person:

Mark the report for the attention of the principal.

pay attention

to listen to, watch, or consider something or someone very carefully:

I hope you're paying attention, because you'll be tested later.

pay attention to: Pay particular attention to the warnings printed on the label.