(~s)
1.
A ~ is an action or event that attracts your attention away from what you are doing or concentrating on.
The robbers threw smoke bombs to create a ~...
N-COUNT
2.
A ~ is an activity that you do for pleasure. (FORMAL)
Finger painting is very messy but an excellent ~.
N-COUNT
3.
A ~ is a special route arranged for traffic to follow when the normal route cannot be used. (BRIT; in AM, use detour )
They turned back because of traffic ~s.
N-COUNT
4.
The ~ of something involves changing its course or destination.
...the illegal ~ of profits from secret arms sales.
N-UNCOUNT: the N of n