diversion
noun
di·ver·sion
də-ˈvər-zhən 
dī-,
-shən
1
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
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
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
The researchers analyzed all water diversions for agriculture, communities and industries from 2000 to 2019, and calculated annual averages.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2024
On this point, Cohen’s with other finance bigwigs who usually oppose any diversion from the workplace norm.
—Jane Thier, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2024
Another key argument made by Hunter Biden's counsel was that the tax charges violated a legally binding diversion agreement made last year.
—Erica Brown, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2024
For entertainment, the lodge offers outdoor diversions, including whitewater rafting down the Cangrejal River, bird-watching in the Aguan Valley, and hiking to crystalline swimming holes.
—Nora Walsh, Travel + Leisure, 31 Mar. 2024
Last month, the state's new Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire, with bipartisan support, introduced a package of legislation that would target auto thefts and large-scale resell schemes and expand diversion programs such as drug courts and treatment services.
—Trân Nguyễn, Quartz, 22 Mar. 2024
Investigators from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office discovered that diversion bypasses were installed on two commercial water pumps that irrigated Naumann’s crops, according to the district attorney.
—Rebecca Plevin, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2024
As a legislator, Coleman received diversion after he was charged with misdemeanor domestic battery for allegedly kicking and pushing his brother during an argument.
—Luke Nozicka, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024
Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2024
The researchers analyzed all water diversions for agriculture, communities and industries from 2000 to 2019, and calculated annual averages.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2024
On this point, Cohen’s with other finance bigwigs who usually oppose any diversion from the workplace norm.
—Jane Thier, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2024
Another key argument made by Hunter Biden's counsel was that the tax charges violated a legally binding diversion agreement made last year.
—Erica Brown, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2024
For entertainment, the lodge offers outdoor diversions, including whitewater rafting down the Cangrejal River, bird-watching in the Aguan Valley, and hiking to crystalline swimming holes.
—Nora Walsh, Travel + Leisure, 31 Mar. 2024
Last month, the state's new Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire, with bipartisan support, introduced a package of legislation that would target auto thefts and large-scale resell schemes and expand diversion programs such as drug courts and treatment services.
—Trân Nguyễn, Quartz, 22 Mar. 2024
Investigators from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office discovered that diversion bypasses were installed on two commercial water pumps that irrigated Naumann’s crops, according to the district attorney.
—Rebecca Plevin, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2024
As a legislator, Coleman received diversion after he was charged with misdemeanor domestic battery for allegedly kicking and pushing his brother during an argument.
—Luke Nozicka, Kansas City Star, 22 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.
Dictionary Entries Near diversion
Cite this Entry
“Diversion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diversion. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
adjective
-zhə-ˌner-ē
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
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