diversion

noun

di·​ver·​sion də-ˈvər-zhən How to pronounce diversion (audio)
dī-,
-shən
1
: the act or an instance of diverting or straying from a course, activity, or use : deviation
Bad weather forced the diversion of several flights.
2
: something that diverts or amuses : pastime
Hiking is one of her favorite diversions.
a welcome diversion from the pressures of the job
3
: an attack or feint that draws the attention and force of an enemy from the point of the principal operation
You create a diversion while I sneak inside the building.
4
British : a temporary traffic detour

Examples of diversion in a Sentence

small diversions of river water for irrigation Hiking is one of my favorite diversions. Our town offers few diversions. Sports provide him with a welcome diversion from the pressures of his job. He created a diversion while his partner stole her pocketbook.
Recent Examples on the Web Another person declined the court’s pretrial diversion program. Lawrence Richard, Fox News, 15 Mar. 2024 Most do not attend school, and there are few diversions. Anand Gopal, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 Under the House bill, those children would attend diversion programs on their first offense for a firearm or car theft charge. Hannah Gaskill The Baltimore Sun (tns), arkansasonline.com, 10 Mar. 2024 The Southland’s cargo volume, overall, has picked up significantly in recent months, thanks to the end of labor contract talks and diversions to the West Coast due to military conflict and drought disrupting the Suez and Panama canals, respectively. Don Lee, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 Today, when the BOP has so many challenges, the diversion of few defendants to an alternative form of institutional incarceration needs to be considered. Walter Pavlo, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Commissioners said they were not tasked with addressing jail diversion or population reduction methods. Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 22 Feb. 2024 The Flats residents will also have onsite services and programs available to them, like street outreach and diversion, case management, a food pantry, a job readiness and financial training workshop, and childcare coordination. Shawn Raymundo, The Arizona Republic, 7 Mar. 2024 In February 2022, a judge issued a criminal protective order requiring Vena to stay 100 yards away from Carbone and A. Months later, according to court records, Vena entered a 12-month diversion program involving anger management and parenting classes. Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'diversion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English dyversioun "process of diverting superfluous humors," borrowed from Late Latin dīversiōn-, dīversiō "turning away," from Latin dīvertere "to separate oneself (from), be different" and dēvertere "to turn away, divert" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at divert

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of diversion was in 1600

Dictionary Entries Near diversion

Cite this Entry

“Diversion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diversion. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

diversion

noun
di·​ver·​sion də-ˈvər-zhən How to pronounce diversion (audio)
dī-
1
: the act or an instance of diverting or turning aside
2
: something that relaxes, amuses, or entertains
diversionary
-zhə-ˌner-ē
adjective

Legal Definition

diversion

noun
di·​ver·​sion də-ˈvər-zhən, dī- How to pronounce diversion (audio)
: the act or an instance of diverting: as
a
: an unauthorized rerouting or appropriation
diversion of funds
b
: suspension of the prosecution of a charge for a period of time during which the defendant participates in a rehabilitation program or makes restitution and after which the charges are dismissed if the rehabilitation or restitution is completed compare probation
diversionary adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on diversion

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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