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 of amusement

• 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

And the crowd on-hand watching the festivities roared in amusement. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026

New Atlas The rides were in varying stages of decay, and there seemed to be a lot of orphaned carousel horses from other amusement centers dotted across the park. — New Atlas, 18 Aug. 2026

In the absence of obvious sources of amusement, visitors hopped among booths in feverish pursuit of swag—key chains, stickers, sunglasses. — Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

In a television ad for Dunkin’, Kylie Jenner wore a blush-pink, satin, structured blazer with over-the-top shoulder pads, a designer choice that generated some amusement online from those previously unfamiliar with the brand’s name. — Beatrice Dupuy, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

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