preattention

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noun

The noticing of something before attention is fully focused on it.

Scrabble 14
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Meanings

nounpreattention (uncountable)
  1. uncountableThe noticing of something before attention is fully focused on it.

    However, to develop a comprehensive model of how Web advertising works, it is recommended to examine different levels (ie, low, medium, and high) of preattention and focal attention.

    2007, Chan Yun Yoo, Preattentive Processing of Web Advertising, page 27

Origin

From pre- + attention.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

“preattention.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/preattention. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “preattention,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/preattention.

Source: preattention on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.