entertainment

[ en-ter-teyn-muh nt ]

/ ˌɛn tərˈteɪn mənt /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR entertainment ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act of entertaining; agreeable occupation for the mind; diversion; amusement: Solving the daily crossword puzzle is an entertainment for many.

something affording pleasure, diversion, or amusement, especially a performance of some kind: The highlight of the ball was an elaborate entertainment.

hospitable provision for the needs and wants of guests.

a divertingly adventurous, comic, or picaresque novel.

Obsolete. maintenance in service.

Nearby words

enterpriser, enterprising, entertain, entertainer, entertaining, entertainment, enthalpy, enthesis, enthesitis, enthesopathy, enthetic

Origin of entertainment

First recorded in 1525–35; entertain + -ment

Related formsnon·en·ter·tain·ment, noun, adjectivepre·en·ter·tain·ment, nounself-en·ter·tain·ment, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for entertainment

Beyoncé has, for close to a decade now, been a deity in entertainment: untouchable, successful, divine.
Bow Down, Bitches: How Beyoncé Turned an Elevator Brawl Into a Perfect Year|Kevin Fallon|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Brad Rutter is trying to turn his trivia fame into entertainment.
From Socially Isolated Nerd to Jeopardy! Bad Boy: A Thank You Note|Arthur Chu|November 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Billboard and Entertainment Weekly similarly praised it upon the anniversary.
When the Religious Right Attacked ‘The Little Mermaid’|Asawin Suebsaeng|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It took a lot to make the public and entertainment industry remember the allegations against Dr. Huxtable.
It’s Not Just Cosby: Hollywood’s Long List of Male Scumbags|Asawin Suebsaeng|November 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Heigl talked about the press event where she was asked about her difficult behavior.
It’s Time to Stop Hating Katherine Heigl|Kevin Fallon|November 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And interesting heroic men coming and going in swarms and being so grateful for kindness and entertainment.
Robin|Frances Hodgson Burnett
Great preparations had been made for the refection which was to be part of the entertainment.
Elsie Venner|Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
The participation of the Cushman sisters in this entertainment greatly enhanced its interest and attractiveness.
William E. Burton: Actor, Author, and Manager|William L. Keese
The king accepted his title by giving an entertainment that night in a noiseless manner.
Ande Trembath|Matthew Stanley Kemp
During the next summer the queen invited Elizabeth to an entertainment at Richmond.
Agnes Strickland's Queens of England, Vol. II. (of III)|Rosalie Kaufman

British Dictionary definitions for entertainment

entertainment

/ (ˌɛntəˈteɪnmənt) /

noun

the act or art of entertaining or state of being entertained

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for entertainment

entertainment

1530s, "provision for support of a retainer; manner of social behavior," now obsolete, along with other 16c. senses; from entertain + -ment. Meaning "the amusement of someone" is from 1610s; "that which entertains" is from 1650s; "public performance or display meant to amuse" is from 1727.

entertainment

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of entertainment

Examples from the Web for entertainment

British Dictionary definitions for entertainment

entertainment

noun

Word Origin and History for entertainment

entertainment