When you feel drawn toward something or someone, that pull you experience is called attraction. If you can't stop thinking about a new book series and keep reaching for the next volume, that's attraction to the story. When a magnet pulls a paperclip across your desk, that's magnetic attraction, a physical force between objects.

Attraction also describes the feeling of really liking someone, wanting to spend time with them, or thinking they're special. You might feel attracted to a new friend because they share your sense of humor, or admire someone because they're kind and interesting. As people grow up, attraction can become part of romantic relationships too.

Scientists use this word to explain how objects pull toward each other. Gravity is the attraction between objects with mass. The Earth's gravitational attraction keeps you from floating away into space, and the Moon's attraction on Earth creates ocean tides.

An attraction can also be a place people visit because it's interesting or fun. A museum, theme park, or famous landmark might be called a tourist attraction because it draws visitors.

Whether it's the attraction of a good mystery novel, the gravitational attraction holding planets in orbit, or simply feeling attracted to people who make you laugh, the word describes forces that draw things together.