Diversion

From French diversion, from Medieval Latin diversio, from Latin divertere, past participle diversus ("to divert"); see divert.

Full definition of diversion

(plural diversions)

(military) A tactic used to draw attention away from the real threat or action.
A hobby; an activity that distracts the mind.

1640, Thomas Hobbes, The S:The Elements of Law, Of those therefore that have attained to the highest degree of honour and riches, some have affected mastery in some art; as Nero in music and poetry, Commodus in the art of a gladiator. And such as affect not some such thing, must find diversion and recreation of their thoughts in the contention either of play, or business.

1983, S:U.S. v. Sun Myung Moon 718 F.2d 1210 (1983), Further, in response to the trust defense raised at trial, the court did properly instruct the jury on partial diversion when it charged that the funds diverted to Moon's personal use became taxable "to the extent so diverted." Obviously, the word "divert" is in common enough use and understandable by ordinary jurors, so as to require no explanatory charge.
14 September 2013, Jane Shilling, The Golden Thread: the Story of Writing, by Ewan Clayton, review [print edition: Illuminating language], Though his account of written communication over the past 5,000 years necessarily has a powerful forward momentum, his diversions down the fascinating byways of the subject are irresistible ...

Removal of water via a canal.
(transport) A detour, such as during road construction
(transport) The rerouting of cargo or passengers to a new transshipment point or destination, or to a different mode of transportation before arrival at the ultimate destinationUS FM 55-15 TRANSPORTATION REFERENCE DATA; 9 June 1886.
(legal) Officially halting or suspending a formal criminal or juvenile justice proceeding and referral of the accused person to a treatment or care program.