digression — English Dictionary

Noun

1. An aside, an act of straying from the main subject in speech or writing.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   The lectures included lengthy digressions on topics ranging from the professor's dog to the meaning of life.

   More examples (1)

   History tells us stodgy, cautious stuff, cardigan-football is the way to go here. The 1966 World Cup kicked off with 0-0 draw against Uruguay so tedious the Guardian match report contains a whimsical digression on the writer’s urge to drift off to sleep in the second half.

2. The act of straying from the main subject in speech or writing, (rhetoric) particularly for rhetorical effect.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   make digression... by way of digression...

3. A deviancy, a sin or error, an act of straying from the path of righteousness or a general rule.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Obsolete
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   Nature... More stronger hadde her operacyon Than she hath nowe in her dygressyon.

4. A deviation, an act of straying from a path.

   Usage

   • Archaic
   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   By this little digression into Gascony, the Duke had an opportunity... to re-inforce himself with some particular Servants of his.

5. An elongation, a deflection or deviation from a mean position or expected path.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   This digression [of the Sun] is not equall, but neare the Æquinoxiall intersections, it is right and greater, near the Solstices, more oblique and lesser.

Noun

1. a message that departs from the main subject

   Synonyms

   asideexcursusdivagationparenthesis

   Broader terms

   messagecontentsubject mattersubstance

2. a turning aside (of your course or attention or concern)

   Synonyms

   diversiondeviationdeflectiondeflexiondivagation

   Broader terms

   turnturning

   Examples

   a diversion from the main highway

   a digression into irrelevant details

   More examples (1)

   a deflection from his goal

3. wandering from the main path of a journey

   Synonyms

   excursion

   Broader terms

   journeyjourneying