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

Louisville has enjoyed nearly 70 years of free summer entertainment thanks to the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival in Central Park. —Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 8 Feb. 2026

The opening ceremony takes place before pregame entertainment, during which Charlie Puth will perform the national anthem. —Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Feb. 2026

There are few opportunities to mount an entertainment of this scale — not even a Super Bowl halftime show can compare. —Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026

Campbell has a large national following and prominent friends in the worlds of politics and entertainment, which could provide a major fundraising advantage. —Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 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