at-ten-shun

interjection

Used to bring a marching band or group of soldiers to attention.

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Meanings

interjection

alternative a-ten-shun

  1. USgovernmentUsed to bring a marching band or group of soldiers to attention.

    At-ten-SHUN! ¶ The United States Marine Corps wants your children.

    2003, “Family Fare”, in The New York Times
    1 more example

    "At-ten-shun !" commanded he, with that peculiar inflexion only attainable after considerable service.

    1906, Joseph Edgar Crowell, The Young Volunteer: The Everyday Experiences of a Soldier Boy in the Civil War

Origin

Respelling of attention to emphasize the syllables.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

at-ten-shun. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/at-ten-shun

MLA

“at-ten-shun.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/at-ten-shun. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “at-ten-shun,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/at-ten-shun.

Source: at-ten-shun on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.