All 9 Uses

focus
in
Mao’s Last Dancer
(Auto-generated)

It was magical, and New York was the focus.†
Chpt 3.21 *

focus = where attention is concentrated
When I had danced this role at eighteen, I bashed through the performance, focusing only on the technical aspect of the role.†
Chpt P.S. *

focusing = concentrating, or looking
We were taught to focus on the meaning of each word.†
Chpt 2.10
It was as though all those eyes were focused on me, and me alone.†
Chpt 2.10
Zhang Ce's and Zhang Shu's arrival at the academy marked the beginning of our new focus on technique.†
Chpt 2.13
He kept focusing on it with one eye at a time.†
Chpt 2.13
I worked on my weaknesses and focused on my goals and, by the time the teacher in charge of the rehearsals finally decided who was to dance the leading role on the opening night, I had been chosen as first cast.†
Chpt 2.16
Still, I had to keep focused on my work.†
Chpt 3.21
I worked hard at keeping my mental focus over those three months as I was lying on my bed.†
Chpt 3.26

Definitions:

(1) (focus as in: Turn your focus to question #2.)
to direct attention or effort toward a single thing; or the ability to do so without getting distracted
(2) (focus as in: The focus of our study is...)
where attention is concentrated or directed
(3) (focus as in: bring into focus; or out of focus)
a state where something has come into view or can be seen clearly; or an adjustment made to permit a clear view
(4) (focus as with technical usage)
technical usage typically involves some sense of center or concentration such as:
- physics — a point where things come together such as the point where light rays meet
- geometry — a fixed reference point (as of a parabola)
- geology — the point of origin of an earthquake
See a comprehensive dictionary for other less common meanings.
(5) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)