hospitality

noun

hos·​pi·​tal·​i·​ty ˌhä-spə-ˈta-lə-tē How to pronounce hospitality (audio)
plural hospitalities
1
: hospitable treatment, reception, or disposition
thanked our hosts for their hospitality
2
: the activity or business of providing services to guests in hotels, restaurants, bars, etc.
usually used before another noun
a hospitality suite
Valet parking may be the most commonplace, least understood corner of the hospitality industry.Bruce Feiler
… has turned the hospitality business upside down with his far-out hotel designs …Robert Herzbrun

Examples of hospitality in a Sentence

It was refreshing to be met with such hospitality after our long journey.
Recent Examples on the Web Many workers, especially in low-paying industries like hospitality and retail, experienced significant wage gains in 2022. Lydia Depillis, New York Times, 12 Sep. 2023 Many workers, especially in low-paying industries such as hospitality and retail, experienced significant wage gains in 2022. Ben Casselman, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Sep. 2023 But there would be four seasons to experience, practicing in near-freezing temperatures and taking classes that would prepare you for working in the hospitality business. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2023 Superficially the rooms can be quite different, but culture and style of hospitality hopefully unites them. Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 8 Sep. 2023 But child-care disruptions could threaten those gains and lead to worsening worker shortages in industries such as nursing, teaching and hospitality, which have all struggled to refill their ranks since the start of the pandemic. Abha Bhattarai The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2023 But things are changing and the past few years have seen a handful of new hotels crop up in Sri Lanka, pushing the boundaries of hospitality. Sophie Prideaux, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Sep. 2023 Just as high-flying couture clients are no longer simply whisked away on flashy shopping trips but on transformative journeys, the standard-bearers of ultra-high-end travel hospitality have also, over the last decade, leaned into the realm of intrepid experiences. Paul Jebara, Town & Country, 5 Sep. 2023 Ani said most of her family members work in Maui’s hospitality industry. USA TODAY, 4 Sep. 2023 See More

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English hospitalite "reception of guests, provision of lodging," borrowed from Anglo-French hospitalité, borrowed from Latin hospitālitāt-, hospitālitās "entertainment of guests," from Latin hospitālis "of a guest, of hospitality, hospitable" (from hospit-, hospes "guest, host" + -ālis -al entry 1) + -itāt-, -itās -ity — more at host entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hospitality was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near hospitality

Cite this Entry

“Hospitality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hospitality. Accessed 22 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

hospitality

noun
hos·​pi·​tal·​i·​ty ˌhäs-pə-ˈtal-ət-ē How to pronounce hospitality (audio)
plural hospitalities
: generous and friendly treatment of visitors and guests
Etymology

Middle English hospitalite "hospitality," from early French hospitalité (same meaning), derived from Latin hospitale "of a guest, showing hospitality," from hospit-, hospes "host, stranger, guest" — related to hospital, host entry 2, hotel

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