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.

---

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

---

Other Word Forms

• nonentertainment noun
• preentertainment noun
• self-entertainment noun

Etymology

Origin of entertainment

First recorded in 1525–35; entertain + -ment

Example Sentences

Phones and tablets have provided people of all ages with an ever-present source of entertainment, but Jane says that both adults and children could benefit from embracing boredom a bit more.

From BBC

The media and entertainment company’s idol marketing business is overtaking its TV and content businesses by revenue contribution.

From The Wall Street Journal

The creators of Afeela were trying to make a car, entertainment system and personal assistant in one.

From Los Angeles Times

The Abu Dhabi government is paying to build a Sphere entertainment venue similar to the giant dome in Las Vegas.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Now, we are known as the sports and entertainment capital of the western United States.”

From Los Angeles Times