diversion
/dʌɪˈvəːʃ(ə)n
/ /dɪˈvəːʃ(ə)n/noun
1 [mass noun] The action of turning something aside from its course: the diversion of resources from defence to civil research...
- Aside from the slight diversion into the life story of his brother's weird friend, it had been a relatively normal session.
- A diversion is planned for users of the footpath so that it runs to the south of Marine Lake.
- In the past there have been cases of over-expenditure and diversion of some resources.
Synonyms
rerouting, redirection, turning aside, deflection, digression, deviation, divergence
1.1The action of reallocating something: the diversion of funds to the Contras...
- The Reserve Bank of India has detected over 1,000 cases of fund diversion by corporate bodies.
- In such states, the risk of diversion of funds and of corruption is extremely high.
- Also, funds earmarked for aviation always risk political diversion or delay in favor of other more favored projects.
1.2 [count noun] British An alternative route for use by traffic when the usual road is temporarily closed: the road was closed and diversions put into operation...
- Drivers can expect a string of temporary traffic lights and diversions in the coming months as nearly £1m of road repairs begin.
- Then I got tangled in a confusion of traffic jams, roadworks, diversions and obscure road signs.
- There will be traffic diversions, contra-flow systems and some road closures during the course of the work.
Synonyms
detour, deviation, alternative route, bypass
2An activity that diverts the mind from tedious or serious concerns; a recreation or pastime: our chief diversion was reading [mass noun]: people in search of diversion...
- Racing games to me are palate cleansers, lite diversions in between more serious gaming experiences.
- One of my favourite diversions is to ‘re-create’ some company memos for circulation within a very select group of people I can trust.
- No assortment of programs, activities or diversions will fill the void if a relational context is missing in a parish.
Synonyms
entertainment, amusement, recreation, pastime, game, hobby;
fun, relaxation, rest and relaxation, relief, play, pleasure, delight, merriment, enjoyment, beguilement
informal jollies, R and R
North American informal rec
dated sport
rare divertissement
2.1Something intended to distract attention from something more important: a subsidiary raid was carried out on the airfield to create a diversion...
- There was only one possible way to distract the world's attention: create a diversion.
- ‘They allowed me to create diversions in my life, to be able to get away from playing golf,’ he says.
- Creating a diversion allowed the NCAA selection committee to elude criticism for its most problematic bracketing in recent years.
Synonyms
distraction, disturbance, smokescreen
Origin
Late Middle English: from late Latin diversio(n-), from Latin divertere 'turn aside' (see divert).
Rhymes
- charango
- charas
- charbroil
- charcoal
- charcoal biscuit
- charcoal burner
- charcoal filter
- charcoal gray
- charcoal grey
- Charcot, Jean-Martin
- charcuterie
- chard
- Chardonnay
- Chardonnay socialist
- charedization
- charentais
- charentais melon
- Charente
- charette
- charge
- chargeable
- charge account
- chargeback
- charge-cap
- charge card