Origin: Latin suffix -tion
Concentration has 9 different meanings across 1 category:
the strength of a solution; number of molecules of a substance in a given volume
"The lab technician adjusted the dilution to ensure the concentration of the saltwater reached the precise level required for the experiment."
the spatial property of being crowded together
"The high concentration of skyscrapers in downtown Manhattan makes it difficult to find a parking spot."
strengthening the concentration (as of a solute in a mixture) by removing diluting material
"The lab technician added more salt to the brine to increase its concentration before bottling it for preservation."
increase in density
"Adding more sugar to the syrup increased its concentration, making it thick and sticky."
complete attention; intense mental effort
"She stared at the complex equation for hours, her entire concentration fixed on finding the solution before the deadline passed."
bringing together military forces
"The general ordered an immediate concentration of troops along the northern border to prepare for the impending invasion."
great and constant diligence and attention
"The surgeon performed the delicate procedure with a level of concentration that seemed to freeze time itself."
The act, process or ability of concentrating; the process of becoming concentrated, or the state of being concentrated.
"The chef watched in awe as the reduction reached its final stage, noting how the sauce had achieved a deep, rich concentration of flavor."
The direction of attention to a specific object.
"She adjusted her binoculars and held her concentration firmly on the distant eagle circling above the trees."
In plain English: Concentration is the ability to focus your mind on one specific thing without getting distracted by other thoughts or things around you.
"She needs to improve her concentration during the exam."
Usage: Use concentration to describe a person's focused mental effort on a specific task or their high level of attention in a particular area. Avoid confusing it with "concentrate," which is the verb form describing the action of focusing.
The word comes from New Latin concentrātiō, originally meaning the action of gathering at a single place before shifting in English to describe the separation of metals from an alloy. It entered usage around 1550 and later evolved by the mid-17th century to encompass both physical extraction and abstract focus.