diversion

noun

di·​ver·​sion də-ˈvər-zhən 

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

Synonyms

• delight
• distraction
• divertissement
• entertainment
• fun
• pleasure
• recreation

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

Hahn said that without more support, public defenders can’t identify clients with serious mental illnesses for diversion programs. —Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024

The indictment shows 10 counts of grand theft of personal property exceeding $950,000; three counts of embezzlement; and one count of diversion of construction funds. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024

Consumption and Waste Enhance and expand waste reduction and diversion programs to decrease the percentage of waste sent to the landfill. —Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 19 Apr. 2024

Francois Nel / Getty Images Dubai airport had yet to resume normal operation after the storm flooded taxiways, forcing flight diversions, delays and cancellations. —Reuters, NBC News, 18 Apr. 2024

The Tribe was once sustained by Tulare Lake, before agricultural diversions drained it. —Calmatters, The Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2024

The majority of those charges — including the two felonies — were ultimately dropped as part of a plea bargain where the rapper enrolled in a pre-trial diversion program. —Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2024

That office in recent years has not prosecuted any parents — who, by law, can be fined or imprisoned if their child is truant — and referred 21 percent of students to court diversion programs, a spokesperson said. —Meagan Flynn, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024

One arrest was made, but the individual entered a city diversion community court instead of being booked in jail, according to the Texas Tribune. —Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2024

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

Kids Definition

diversion

noun

di·​ver·​sion də-ˈvər-zhən 

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- 

: 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

-ˈvər-zhə-ˌner-ē, -shə- 

adjective