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

The plans also call for housing, retail, office space, a hotel, public open space and entertainment venues. — Sam Blum, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Raj Singh, co-founder and CEO of Media Capital Technologies, which invests in international media and finances entertainment, will be among the guests at the European Investment Hub. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026

The addition of a baseball team gives KSE ownership in every major professional sport and a deeper presence in one of the top sports and entertainment markets in the world. — Jessica Golden,michael Ozanian, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026

BlueFirst will feature a range of perks, from plush seats made with Tuft & Needle’s T&N Flex foam to seatback screens measuring over 13 inches that are part entertainment system, part interactive menu. — Nathan Diller, USA Today, 1 Sep. 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