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

Outstanding live entertainment, variety, sketch, standup and talk series: “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert”

From Los Angeles Times

But the ceremony was not only about honoring Black excellence in entertainment.

From Los Angeles Times

The 34-year-old is now launching a new ITV reality show called The Heat, but dedicates much of her time to investigating topics such as cosmetic surgery, adult entertainment and online trolling.

From BBC

And lawmakers had worries about a deal that could make Netflix even more dominant in the business of scripted entertainment.

From The Wall Street Journal

Thousands of employees across three companies were left wondering what comes next at a time when the future of the entertainment business has rarely been so uncertain.

From The Wall Street Journal