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Definition of diversion noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

diversion

noun
 
/daɪˈvɜːʃn/
 
/daɪˈvɜːrʒn/
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  1. [countable, uncountable] the act of changing the direction that somebody/something is following, or what something is used for
    • a river diversion project
    • We made a short diversion to go and look at the castle.
    • the diversion of funds from the public to the private sector of industry
    Extra Examples
    • From Poiso we make a short diversion to drive to the top of the mountain.
    • The pilot set the aircraft up for a diversion to the nearest suitable airfield.
    • the diversion of water from the river into the reservoir
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • brief
    • short
    • major
    • …
    verb + diversion
    • make
    • take
    preposition
    • diversion from
    • diversion to
    See full entry
  2. [countable] something that takes your attention away from somebody/something while something else is happening
    • For the government, the war was a welcome diversion from the country's economic problems.
    • A smoke bomb created a diversion while the robbery took place.
    • The fire was started to create a diversion, allowing some prisoners to escape.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • welcome
    verb + diversion
    • create
    • provide
    preposition
    • diversion from
    See full entry
  3. [countable] (British English)
    (North American English detour)
    a road or route that is used when the usual one is closed
    • Diversions will be signposted.
    Wordfinder
    Extra Examples
    • The road will be closed for two days; diversions have been signposted.
    • The main road is now closed and diversions are in operation.
    Topics Transport by car or lorryc1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • temporary
    • traffic
    verb + diversion
    • set up
    • signpost
    diversion + verb
    • be in operation
    See full entry
  4. [countable] (rather formal) an activity that is done for pleasure, especially because it takes your attention away from something else synonym distraction
    • The party will make a pleasant diversion.
    • The city is full of diversions.
    • diversion from something TV provided a welcome diversion from our routine.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • fun
    • nice
    • pleasant
    • …
    verb + diversion
    • make
    • provide
    See full entry
    5. Word Originlate Middle English: from late Latin diversio(n-), from Latin divertere ‘turn aside’, from di- ‘aside’ + vertere ‘to turn’.
See diversion in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee diversion in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: diversion

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pepper
noun
 
 
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