amusement

noun

amuse·​ment ə-ˈmyüz-mənt 

1

: a means of amusing or entertaining

what are her favorite amusements

2

: the condition of being amused

could not hide his amusement

3

: pleasurable diversion : entertainment

plays the piano for amusement

Synonyms

• distraction
• diversion
• entertainment
• recreation

Examples of amusement in a Sentence

I'm reading this novel for amusement.

Several games were provided for the education and amusement of the children.

Recent Examples on the Web

The stark contrast between her daytime and nighttime behavior has only added to the amusement of viewers, many of whom have left lighthearted comments. —David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025

Now proprietors are going after adults with concepts like Holey Moley and Punch Bowl Social, which combines eating and drinking with nostalgic amusements such as billiards, bowling, darts and arcade games. —Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025

While the amusement rides are mostly closed in winter, the zoo remains a fantastic place to visit, with the inhabitants of its vast Nordic wilderness park, including wolves, lynxes, and wolverines, thriving in the colder months. —David Nikel, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025

During a Thursday appearance on Watch What Happens Live, the Whiplash and Top Gun: Maverick star revealed that director Antoine Fuqua's upcoming movie about Jackson's life temporarily filmed at the infamous California compound that once included amusement rides. —Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 14 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing amusement

• amusement arcade
• amusement park
• to one's amusement

Kids Definition

amusement

noun

amuse·​ment ə-ˈmyüz-mənt 

1

: something that amuses

2

: the condition of being amused