listening / looking carefully
1 [U] the act of listening to, looking at or thinking about sth/sb carefully:
the report's attention to detail * He turned his attention back to the road again. * Small children have a very short attention span. * Please pay attention (= listen carefully) to what I am saying. * Don't pay any attention to what they say (= don't think that it is important). * She tried to attract the waiter's attention. * I tried not to draw attention to (= make people notice) the weak points in my argument. * An article in the newspaper caught my attention. * I couldn't give the programme my undivided attention. * (formal) It has come to my attention (= I have been informed) that... * (formal) He called (their) attention to the fact that many files were missing. * (formal, spoken) Can I have your attention please?
interest
2 [U] interest that people show in sb/sth:
Films with big stars always attract great attention. * As the youngest child, she was always the centre of attention.
3 [C,usually pl.] things that sb does to try to please you or to show their interest in you:
She tried to escape the unwanted attentions of her former boyfriend.
treatment
4 [U] special care, action or treatment:
She was in need of medical attention. * The roof needs attention (= needs to be repaired). * for the attention of... (= written on the envelope of an official letter to say who should deal with it)
soldiers
5 [U] the position soldiers take when they stand very straight with their feet together and their arms at their sides:
to stand at / to attention
compare(stand) at ease at EASEn.
exclamation
1 used for asking people to listen to sth that is being announced:
Attention, please! Passengers for flight KL412 are requested to go to gate 21 immediately.
2 used for ordering soldiers to stand to attention
