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

Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter. —Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Apr. 2026

The 150th spotlight feature on arts and entertainment was wonderful. —Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026

Good luck putting a bowling alley in most nationwide chains like AMC, but the mid-scale players like Harkins, B&B, and others are considering it or family entertainment options like it. —Brian Welk, IndieWire, 11 Apr. 2026

His remarks sparked a torrent of criticism on social media, where some commentators faulted him for embracing technology that could kill jobs in the entertainment industry. —Brent Lang, Variety, 11 Apr. 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