Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary - attention

(attentions) Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English. 1. If you give someone or something your attention, you look at it, listen to it, or think about it carefully. You have my undivided attention... Later he turned his attention to the desperate state of housing in the province. ...young children with short attention spans. N-UNCOUNT: also N in pl, usu with poss 2. Attention is great interest that is shown in someone or something, particularly by the general public. Volume Two, sub-titled ‘The Lawyers’, will also attract considerable attention... The conference may help to focus attention on the economy. N-UNCOUNT 3. If someone or something is getting attention, they are being dealt with or cared for. Each year more than two million household injuries need medical attention. N-UNCOUNT 4. You can refer to someone’s efforts to help you, or the interest they show in you, as their attentions, especially if you dislike or disapprove of them. The only way to escape the unwanted attentions of the local men was not to go out... N-PLURAL: usu the N of n 5. If you bring something to someone’s attention or draw their attention to it, you tell them about it or make them notice it. If we don’t keep bringing this to the attention of the people, nothing will be done... N-UNCOUNT: usu with poss 6. If someone or something attracts your attention or catches your attention, you suddenly notice them. He sat at one of the round tables and tried to attract her attention. PHRASE: V inflects 7. If you pay attention to someone, you watch them, listen to them, or take notice of them. If you pay no attention to someone, you behave as if you are not aware of them or as if they are not important. More than ever before, the food industry is paying attention to young consumers... Other people walk along the beach at night, so I didn’t pay any attention at first... PHRASE: V inflects 8. When people stand to attention or stand at attention, they stand straight with their feet together and their arms at their sides. Soldiers in full combat gear stood at attention... PHRASE: V inflects ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER Attention deficit disorder is a condition where people, especially children, are unable to concentrate on anything for very long and so find it difficult to learn and often behave in inappropriate ways. The abbreviation ADD is often used. N-UNCOUNT