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

In Venice, in particular, opera became a form of entertainment for the paying public instead of something to be enjoyed solely by wealthy patrons.

From The Wall Street Journal

Complicating matters is the fact that though it is a shrinking business, linear TV is responsible for most of the video entertainment profit at the old studios.

From Barron's

In 1974, he founded his own firm specializing in entertainment law, a niche many highbrow Wall Street lawyers dismissed as frivolous at the time.

From The Wall Street Journal

She created, hosted and produced the WSJ podcast “Secrets of Wealthy Women,” where she interviewed some of the most successful women in business, media and entertainment.

From The Wall Street Journal

The deal would create value for Warner shareholders, and just as importantly, would continue to grow the entertainment business, Sarandos says.

From The Wall Street Journal