con ‧ cen ‧ tra ‧ tion S3 W2 AC /ˌkɒns ə nˈtreɪʃ ə n $ ˌkɑːn-/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: verb : ↑ concentrate ; noun : ↑ concentration ; adjective : ↑ concentrated ]
1 . [uncountable] the ability to think about something carefully or for a long time ⇨ concentrate :
She needed all her powers of concentration to stop herself from slipping on the icy road.
Lack of concentration was a real problem.
I lost my concentration and fell asleep.
2 . [uncountable] a process in which you put a lot of attention, energy etc into a particular activity ⇨ concentrate
concentration on (doing) something
concentration on your health
concentration on providing value and service
3 . [uncountable and countable] a large amount of something in a particular place or among particular people ⇨ concentrate
concentration of
the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
the concentration of power in the hands of a few
4 . [countable] technical the amount of a substance contained in a liquid ⇨ concentrate
high/low concentrations
Additives are expensive but are used in very low concentrations.
concentration of
allowable concentrations of pesticides in drinking water
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ something takes concentration (=needs concentration)
Playing a musical instrument takes a lot of concentration.
▪ something requires/demands concentration formal
Writing an exam requires great concentration.
▪ lose (your) concentration
Halfway through the game, he seemed to lose concentration.
▪ break sb’s concentration (=stop someone concentrating)
The telephone rang and broke my concentration.
▪ disturb sb’s concentration
She slipped out of the room, trying not to disturb his concentration.
■ phrases
▪ sb’s powers of concentration (=sb’s ability to concentrate hard)
Great athletes are known for their powers of concentration.
▪ a lack of concentration
A lack of concentration when you are driving can be fatal.
▪ a lapse in/of concentration (=a short time when you do not concentrate)
That brief lapse of concentration resulted in a goal for the other team.
■ adjectives
▪ great/deep concentration
My work demands great concentration.
▪ poor concentration
The boy had behavioural problems and suffered from poor concentration.
▪ total concentration
I was impressed by her total concentration on the game.
▪ intense concentration (=very great concentration)
The job demands intense concentration.
■ concentration + NOUN
▪ a concentration span (=the length of time that you are able to concentrate)
Young children have a short concentration span.