digression

UK: /daɪˈgrɛʃ^ən/ US: /dɪˈgrɛʃən, daɪ-/ ,(di gresh′ən, dī-)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

di•gres•sion  (di gresh′ən, dī-), n. 

1. the act of digressing.
2. a passage or section that deviates from the central theme in speech or writing.

• Latin dīgressiōn- (stem of dīgressiō) a going away, aside, equivalent. to dīgress(us) (see digress) + -iōn- -ion
• Anglo-French
• Middle English 1325–75

di•gres′sion•al, di•gres′sion•ar′y, adj. 
Synonyms

• 1, 2. deviation, divergence.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

digression / daɪˈɡrɛʃən/ noun

1. an act or instance of digressing from a main subject in speech or writing

diˈgressional adjective

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

di•gress /dɪˈgrɛs, daɪ-/   v. [no object]

1. to wander away from the main topic:
   Let me digress for a moment and tell you a short story.

di•gres•sion /dɪˈgrɛʃən, daɪ-/  n. 

[uncountable] There's too much digression in your essay.

[countable] a short digression from the topic.

di•gres•sive, adj. See -gress-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

di•gress  (di gres′, dī-), v.i. 

1. to deviate or wander away from the main topic or purpose in speaking or writing;
   depart from the principal line of argument, plot, study, etc.
2. [Archaic.] to turn aside.

• Latin dīgressus, past participle of dīgredī to go off, depart, digress, equivalent. to dī- di-² + -gredī, combining form of gradī to go; compare grade
• 1520–30

di•gress′er, n. 
di•gress′ing•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. ramble, stray. See deviate.