attention

Universal Words noun, exclamation noun 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