- attention
- noun
1 WATCHING/LISTENING CAREFULLYa) pay attention to carefully listen to or watch something that is happening, or to be careful about what you are doing: The teacher got angry with me when I didn't pay attention.(+ to): The TV was on but Di wasn't paying much attention to it. | pay no attention to (=used to tell someone to ignore what someone says because it is not true or not important): Don't pay any attention to him - he's always saying stupid things. | pay little attention to/not pay much attention to (=behave in a way that shows that you do not think something or someone is very important): We heard noises coming from upstairs, but we didn't pay much attention to them.b) give sb/sth your attention to listen to someone or study something carefully, especially so that you can deal with a problem: give sb your full/undivided attention: Now he's gone, I can give you my undivided attention.2 INTEREST (U) the interest that people show in someone or something: She was flattered by all the attention he was giving her. | give sth attention: The press has given the story a lot of attention. | the centre of attention (=a person who everyone looks at and is interested in): Some people enjoy being the centre of attention. | the focus of attention (=the situation that people are most concerned about or consider to be most important): The focus of attention has shifted away from domestic issues. | hold/keep sb's attention (=make someone continue to be interested in something): Follett keeps the reader's attention throughout the book. | attention span (=the period of time during which you continue to be interested in something): Children generally have a short attention span.3 MAKE SB NOTICEa) attract/catch/get sb's attention to make someone notice you, especially because you want to speak to them or you need their help: She tried to attract the waiter's attention.b) attract attention if someone or something attracts attention, people notice them, especially because they look very interesting or unusual: The band members couldn't go out in the street because they attracted too much attention.c) get attention to make someone notice you and be interested in what you are doing: Children are often bad in order to get attention.d) draw attention to to make people notice and be concerned about something: The article was intended to draw attention to the situation in Cambodia.e) draw attention away from to make people stop being concerned about something such as a social problemf) bring sth to sb's attention to tell someone, especially someone in authority, about something such as a problem: The matter was first brought to my attention earlier this year.g) come to sb's attention if something such as a problem comes to the attention of someone in authority, they find out about it4 REPAIR/TREATMENT (U)a) something you do to repair or clean something, or make it work or be able to be used: Honda 50cc for sale. Needs some attention.b) treatment given to someone who is ill or injured: medical attention5 CARE (C, U) things that you do to help someone which show that you like them: Pets need a lot of care and attention.6 SOLDIERS stand to attention/be at attention to stand up straight in neat lines: attention! (=used when ordering a group of soldiers to stand up straight)7 SPEECH/ANNOUNCEMENTa) may/could I have your attention? spoken used in a formal situation when you want people to listen to youb) thank you for your attention spoken used at the end of a speech or statement to thank people for listening8 LETTER for the attention of used on the front of an official letter when you want a particular person to read it or deal with it: for the attention of the manager
Longman dictionary of contemporary English. 2004.
