concentration
kon-suhn-TRAY-shuhn
Concentration (noun) means the ability to focus one's attention on a single task. Example: “The exam demands total concentration.”
noun
1
The ability to focus one's attention on a single task.
"The exam demands total concentration."
"His concentration slipped after the phone rang."
"Playing the piano takes great concentration and a lot of patience."
2
The amount of a substance present within a given volume or mixture.
"The lab measured the concentration of salt in the water sample."
"A high concentration of sugar makes the syrup very thick."
"Fish struggle when the concentration of chemicals in the river rises."
3
(US) A student's chosen field of specialized study within a broader degree.
"She majored in biology with a concentration in genetics."
"He chose a concentration in marketing for his business degree."
"Students must pick a concentration before the start of their third year."
How to use concentration
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither mental focus, the strength/density of a substance in a mixture, or (in US education) a specialized area of study.
Common pairings
lack of concentration
high concentration
a concentration in economics
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Word forms
- Plural
- concentrations
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The exam demands total _____.
Etymology
From New Latin concentrātiō, describing the act of bringing something to a single point — built from concentrate plus -ion.
Synonyms
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focus
attentiveness
absorption
density
strength
intensity
engrossment
assiduity
assiduousness
immersion
denseness
compactness
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for concentration
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for concentration →
Frequently asked questions
What does “concentration” mean?
The word “concentration” means the ability to focus one's attention on a single task. In plain terms, either mental focus, the strength/density of a substance in a mixture, or (in US education) a specialized area of study.
How do you pronounce “concentration”?
“Concentration” is pronounced kon-suhn-TRAY-shuhn (/ˌkɑn.sənˈtɹeɪ.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “concentration” in a sentence?
Here is “concentration” used in a sentence: “The exam demands total concentration.”
What part of speech is “concentration”?
“Concentration” is a noun.
Where does the word “concentration” come from?
The word “concentration” comes from New Latin. From New Latin concentrātiō, describing the act of bringing something to a single point — built from concentrate plus -ion.
Is “concentration” a common word?
“Concentration” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “concentration” have?
“Concentration” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the ability to focus one's attention on a single task.
What is the difference between concentration and attention?
Concentration is the ability to focus one's attention on a single task, sustaining it over time. Attention is the broader mental act of noticing or directing awareness, which may be brief, while concentration is attention kept steadily on one thing.
What is the difference between concentration and focus?
In the sense of mental effort, concentration and focus are close synonyms, both meaning the ability to direct attention to a single task. 'Concentration' tends to stress the sustained effort involved, while 'focus' can also mean the specific point of that attention.
What are common collocations with 'concentration'?
In the mental sense, 'concentration' pairs with 'break someone's concentration,' 'lose concentration,' and 'deep concentration.' In the scientific sense, it appears in phrases like 'high concentration' and 'concentration of a solution.'
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