entertainment

American  

[en-ter-teyn-muhnt] / ˌɛn tərˈteɪn mənt /

noun

1. the act of entertaining; entertaining; agreeable occupation for the mind; diversion; amusement.

   Solving the daily crossword puzzle is an entertainment for many.

2. something affording pleasure, diversion, or amusement, especially a performance of some kind.

   The highlight of the ball was an elaborate entertainment.

3. hospitable provision for the needs and wants of guests.

4. a divertingly adventurous, comic, or picaresque novel.

5. Obsolete. maintenance in service.

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entertainment British  

/ ˌɛntəˈteɪnmənt /

noun

1. the act or art of entertaining or state of being entertained

2. an act, production, etc, that entertains; diversion; amusement

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Other Word Forms

• nonentertainment noun
• preentertainment noun
• self-entertainment noun

Etymology

Origin of entertainment

First recorded in 1525–35; entertain + -ment

Example Sentences

Gladiatorial combat in ancient Rome was carefully managed entertainment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

While the former model maintained a presence in the entertainment industry in the years that followed, she made a career pivot to real estate in June 2020.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

But she says there is a big market for lower-octane entertainment.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

The toy and entertainment giant, Hasbro - which owns brands including Peppa Pig, Transformers and Monopoly - has been hacked.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

However, in Montenegro, on the Adriatic, one of the most beautiful spots in Europe, all was peace, joy, and entertainment on the night of September 1.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady