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

By telling the powerful story of Spencer James’ experience of life’s duality in California, the show expanded the ways the Black community is depicted on television, leaving an undeniable impact in the entertainment industry. —Okla Jones, Essence, 4 June 2024

All of this comes as the entertainment industry is weathering a devastating contraction caused in large part by overspending in the early days of the streaming era. —Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2024

Attend a Live Concert or Show Attending a live concert or show in Miami is a great way to enjoy the city’s vibrant entertainment scene. —Jacob Wisda, Miami Herald, 4 June 2024

By Koh Ewe June 4, 2024 5:35 AM EDT As K-pop increasingly looks beyond South Korea for its next generation of idols, one of the genre’s leading entertainment agencies is holding its first-ever global audition aimed at assembling a new girl group. —Koh Ewe, TIME, 4 June 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