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

According to a press release, Kings Island's new family-friendly entertainment is part of a $1 billion investment that Six Flags is making over the next two years to enhance the guest experience at its 42 parks. —Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2024

President-Elect Donald Trump tapped as his top education leader a wrestling entertainment executive whose mission is to eliminate her own job. —Christopher R. Marsicano, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024

The company raised $2.7m from private investors including former XIX Entertainment president James Clayton, Hollywood entertainment lawyer Kevin Yorn and former Wired editor David Rowan in 2021. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 21 Nov. 2024

But cable is just not the home of entertainment anymore, as NBCU's own actions demonstrate. —Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Nov. 2024

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