amusement

noun

amuse·​ment ə-ˈmyüz-mənt 

1

: a means of amusing or entertaining

what are her favorite amusements

2

: the condition of being amused

could not hide his amusement

3

: pleasurable diversion : entertainment

plays the piano for amusement

Synonyms

• entertainment
• recreation

Examples of amusement in a Sentence

I'm reading this novel for amusement.

Several games were provided for the education and amusement of the children.

Recent Examples on the Web

Test yourself on autumn amusements and federal firsts in this week's American Culture Quiz. —Staff, FOXNews.com, 12 Sep. 2025

Vanna White, the show's longtime letter turner, responded, prompting some amusement from both Seacrest and Ault. —Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025

Once again, rumore rules over all, to the amusement of the diners. —Jonathan Hawkins, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025

First published in 1985, the book warned that the threat to American democracy came not from state repression, but from a culture distracted by amusement. —Time, 10 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing amusement

• amusement arcade
• amusement park
• to one's amusement

Kids Definition

amusement

noun

amuse·​ment ə-ˈmyüz-mənt 

1

: something that amuses

2

: the condition of being amused