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
• distraction
• diversion
• recreation

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

Paige followed in her dad’s footsteps in the entertainment industry and has been working as a model since 2017. —Emily Blackwood, People.com, 28 Jan. 2025

The latter caused film and television production to grind to a virtual halt, which has since caused a contraction in the entertainment industry across all segments, from executives and creatives to third-party vendors like catering and pr firms and — ahem — news media covering the industry. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 28 Jan. 2025

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, In The Know, to get entertainment news sent straight to your inbox. —Sandra Dallas, The Denver Post, 28 Jan. 2025

The event includes a silent auction, lunch, entertainment and an opportunity drawing. —Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing entertainment

• entertainment value
• non-entertainment

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