entertainment

noun

en·​ter·​tain·​ment ˌen-tər-ˈtān-mənt 

1

a

: amusement or diversion provided especially by performers

hired a band to provide entertainment

b

: something diverting or engaging: such as

(1)

: a public performance

(2)

: a usually light comic or adventure novel

2

: the act of entertaining

3

a

archaic : maintenance, provision

b

obsolete : employment

Synonyms

• amusement
• recreation
• enjoyment
• production
• diversion

Examples of entertainment in a Sentence

Entertainment was provided by jugglers.

plays, movies, and other forms of entertainment

They played games in the evening for entertainment.

plays, movies, and other entertainments

Recent Examples on the Web

Since then, Prime has ballooned into a multi-pronged service that offers streaming entertainment, grocery delivery, fuel and food delivery perks, as well as subscriber-only deals. —Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025

There will be digital bar crawl map, entertainment and beer on tap at participating bars. —Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Sep. 2025

Variety is thrilled to present the first-ever Hollywood & Horror on October 15 in Los Angeles, an evening cocktail event celebrating excellence in horror entertainment and the unique fandom surrounding this ever-expanding film and TV genre. —William Earl, Variety, 25 Sep. 2025

At Edward’s insistence, Bonnie has shut him out of his dockside entertainment house, the Angel. —Keith Phipps, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing entertainment

• entertainment value
• non-entertainment

Rhymes for entertainment

• ascertainment
• arraignment
• attainment
• containment
• entrainment
• sustainment

Kids Definition

entertainment

noun

en·​ter·​tain·​ment ˌen-tər-ˈtān-mənt 

1

: the act or process of providing pleasure, recreation, or amusement

2

: a means of amusement or recreation

especially : a public performance