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

Operation Mincemeat is inspired by the unlikely real-life World War II story of an Allied Forces used of a corpse, with fake military plans in its pockets, to fool the Axis military with the diversion. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2025

Also in 2022-23, the expensive and ultimately unsuccessful loan of Ansu Fati from Barcelona for the club’s first season in European competition was a diversion from the norm. —The Athletic Uk Staff, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025

The county has resisted approval of the pedestrian promenade, citing safety concerns over the diversion of traffic to a nearby alleyway. —Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 8 Feb. 2025

The charges were dropped in December after Paul completed a drug diversion program. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 28 Jan. 2025

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

Rhymes for diversion

• aspersion
• aversion
• conversion
• dispersion
• eversion
• excursion
• immersion
• incursion
• inversion
• perversion
• recursion
• reversion

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