2 N‑VAR The attendance at an event is the number of people who are present at it. □ Average weekly cinema attendance in February was 2.41 million. □ This year attendances were 28% lower than forecast.
3 PHRASE If someone is in attendance at a place or an event, they are there.
at|tend|ant /əte ndənt/ (attendants )
1 N‑COUNT [usu n N ] An attendant is someone whose job is to serve or help people in a place such as a car park or a cloakroom. □ Tony Williams was working as a car-park attendant in Los Angeles.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] You use attendant to describe something that results from a thing already mentioned or that is connected with it. □ Mr Branson's victory, and all the attendant publicity, were well deserved. □ [+ on/upon ] …the risks attendant on the exploration of the unknown.
at|tend|ee /əte ndiː / (attendees ) N‑COUNT The attendees at something such as a meeting or a conference are the people who are attending it. [mainly AM ]
at|tend|er /əte ndə r / (attenders ) N‑COUNT [usu adj N ] The attenders at a particular place or event are the people who go there. □ [+ at ] He was a regular attender at the opera. [Also + in ]
at|ten|tion ◆◆◇ /əte nʃ ə n/ (attentions )
1 N‑UNCOUNT [usu with poss] If you give someone or something your attention , you look at it, listen to it, or think about it carefully. □ You have my undivided attention. □ Later he turned his attention to the desperate state of housing in the province. □ …young children with short attention spans.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Attention is great interest that is shown in someone or something, particularly by the general public. □ The property has already attracted considerable attention from overseas buyers. □ The conference may help to focus attention on the economy.
3 N‑UNCOUNT If someone or something is getting attention , they are being dealt with or cared for. □ Each year more than two million household injuries need medical attention.
4 N‑PLURAL You can refer to someone's efforts to help you, or the interest they show in you, as their attentions , especially if you dislike or disapprove of them. □ [+ of ] The only way to escape the unwanted attentions of the local men was not to go out.
5 N‑UNCOUNT [usu with poss] If you bring something to someone's attention or draw their attention to it, you tell them about it or make them notice it. □ [+ of ] If we don't keep bringing this to the attention of the people, nothing will be done.
6 PHRASE If someone or something attracts your attention or catches your attention , you suddenly notice them. □ He sat at one of the round tables and tried to attract her attention.
7 PHRASE If you pay attention to someone, you watch them, listen to them, or take notice of them. If you pay no attention to someone, you behave as if you are not aware of them or as if they are not important. □ [+ to ] More than ever before, the food industry is paying attention to young consumers. □ Other people walk along the beach at night, so I didn't pay any attention at first.
8 PHRASE When people stand to attention or stand at attention , they stand straight with their feet together and their arms at their sides. □ Soldiers in full combat gear stood at attention. COLLOCATIONS attention NOUN
1
adjective + attention : careful, close, full, undivided; particular, special
verb + attention : give; have
2
noun + attention : media, press
adjective + attention : unwanted, unwelcome; international, national, public
verb + attention : attract, catch, command, grab; deflect, distract, divert; focus
3
adjective + attention : medical; immediate, urgent
verb + attention : receive, require
4
adjective + attention : unwanted SYNONYMS attention NOUN
1
thought: Usually at this time our thoughts are on Christmas.
mind: I put what happened during that game to the back of my mind.
scrutiny: His private life came under media scrutiny.
observation: She has good powers of observation.
3
care: Most of the staff specialize in the care of children.
support: We hope to continue to have her close support and friendship.
treatment: …a veterinary surgeon who specializes in the treatment of cage birds.
at|te n|tion de fi|cit dis|o r|der N‑UNCOUNT Attention deficit disorder is a condition where people, especially children, are unable to concentrate on anything for very long and so find it difficult to learn and often behave in inappropriate ways. The abbreviation ADD is often used.
at|te n|tion de fi|cit hyper|ac|ti v|ity dis|o r|der N‑UNCOUNT Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a condition where people, especially children, are extremely active and unable to concentrate on anything for very long, with the result that they find it difficult to learn and often behave in inappropriate ways. The abbreviation ADHD is often used.
atte ntion-grabbing ADJ [usu ADJ n] An attention-grabbing remark or activity is one that is intended to make people notice it. □ …an attention-grabbing marketing campaign.
at|ten|tive /əte nt I v/
1 ADJ If you are attentive , you are paying close attention to what is being said or done. □ He wishes the government would be more attentive to detail in their response. ● at|ten|tive|ly ADV [usu ADV after v] □ He questioned Chrissie, and listened attentively to what she told him.