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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Behind the scenes Six Flags Entertainment is a regional amusement-resort operator with approximately 27 amusement parks, 15 water parks and nine resort properties across 17 states in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025 Taking place at the City Center Bishop Ranch, the event invites both pets and their owners to don outfits and strut their stuff for the amusement of the general public. Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025 The film takes place in 1954 almost exclusively over the course of one evening at a party thrown by the newly wed Hedda who wields literal and figurative weapons for her own personal amusement and potential financial gain. Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025 The new security measures announced in May also included a requirement for minors to be accompanied by an adult age 21 or older in the ride area, but organizers announced in August that the 2025 festival would not have amusement rides. Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for amusement

Word History

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of amusement was in 1603

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Amusement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amusement. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!