entertainment

noun

en·​ter·​tain·​ment ˌen-tər-ˈtān-mənt 

ˌin-

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 of entertainment

• amusement
• recreation
• enjoyment
• production
• diversion

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

For longstanding neighborhood businesses, the goal is to attract new customers while continuing to serve the regulars who supported them before the neighborhood became a major entertainment destination. — Kenny Choi, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

There will be live music, entertainment and even wrestling matches from Deep South Wrestling. — Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Di Placido covers TikTok and Twitter trends, breaking down interesting conversations and controversies surrounding celebrities and the entertainment industry, focusing on fantasy and sci-fi stories such as Star Wars and House of the Dragon. — Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Krystle Delgado is an entertainment lawyer, independent artist, and podcaster who's been following the legal and financial battle closely. — Charlotte Isidore, NPR, 18 Aug. 2026

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