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

Black, a former New York prosecutor, moves from East to West to become an entertainment lawyer. —Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025

Thanks to land granted by Clark County, the precinct will empower the entertainment professionals, hospitality workers and first responders serving the tourist town, plus inspire and educate future stars of The Strip. —Leena Tailor, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Feb. 2025

But productions have been slow to resume in the L.A. area, meaning that people all up and down the entertainment industry—from actors to editors to gaffers to production assistants—have less discretionary income. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 21 Feb. 2025

Billed as the largest entertainment complex in South Carolina, this is a destination in and of itself. —Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 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