amusement

noun

amuse·​ment ə-ˈmyüz-mənt How to pronounce amusement (audio)
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

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 My Hindi is even improving along with my Indian cooking skills, but my Bollywood dance moves are still boxy, much to his amusement. Sahaj Kaur Kohli, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024 In January, the company, which sees its amusement destinations as strong profit centers, announced a significant expansion of its Orlando park. Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Feb. 2024 The Unity Celebration will round out the day from 11:30 to 3 p.m. at the amphitheater with amusement rides, games, crafts, stage performances and community booths. Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2024 In 1943, American publishers began to produce Armed Services Editions, for soldiers overseas—millions of books that provided edification, amusement, even bouts of peace. Claudia Roth Pierpont, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2024 Speaking Spanish in front of people in Arizona caused heads to turn in her direction and looks of amusement. Paula Soria, The Arizona Republic, 18 Feb. 2024 The Silence of the Lambs star retold the event with amusement in her voice, but other guests on stage — Colman, comedian Wanda Sykes, and Scottish host Lorraine Kelly — looked on in shock. Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 18 Feb. 2024 Day 1 — Indoor amusement and a mind-bending shopping mart Our odyssey begins at Area15, a sprawling, technicolor playground that's part interactive art installation, part high-tech amusement park. Laura Parker, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024 Miles of sand, a wide boardwalk filled with bicycles, oceanside amusements, a host of surfers, finger-licking seafood, and zero pretention all live together harmoniously in the state’s most populated city. Miami Staff, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'amusement.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of amusement was in 1603

Dictionary Entries Near amusement

Cite this Entry

“Amusement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amusement. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

amusement

noun
amuse·​ment ə-ˈmyüz-mənt How to pronounce amusement (audio)
1
: something that amuses
2
: the condition of being amused

More from Merriam-Webster on amusement

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