- 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 Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivebrief, short, major, … verb + diversionmake, take prepositiondiversion 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. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivewelcome verb + diversioncreate, provide prepositiondiversion 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. Wordfinderroadbypass, carriageway, diversion, hard shoulder, lane, lay-by, motorway, road, roundabout, signpost Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivetemporary, traffic verb + diversionset up, signpost diversion + verbbe in operation See full entry See related entries: Motoring problems and accidents
- 4[countable] (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. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivefun, nice, pleasant, … verb + diversionmake, provide See full entry Word Originlate Middle English: from late Latin diversio(n-), from Latin divertere ‘turn aside’, from di- ‘aside’ + vertere ‘to turn’.Extra examples From Poiso we make a short diversion to drive to the top of the mountain. TV provided a welcome diversion from our routine. The cinema provided a welcome diversion from camp routine. The fire was started to create a diversion, allowing some prisoners to escape. The main road is now closed and diversions are in operation. The party would make a pleasant diversion in his rather dull social life. The pilot set the aircraft up for a diversion to the nearest suitable airfield. The road will be closed for two days; diversions have been signposted. the diversion of water from the river into the reservoir For the government, the war was a welcome diversion from the country’s economic problems.
diversion
nounBrE BrE//daɪˈvɜːʃn//; NAmE NAmE//daɪˈvɜːrʒn//
Motoring problems and accidentsCheck pronunciation: diversion
