hospitality

noun

hos·​pi·​tal·​i·​ty ˌhä-spə-ˈta-lə-tē 

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

The coalition makes the case that runaway production has widespread impact beyond direct job loss, affecting tourism, hospitality and more local industries. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 17 May 2025

Max Starkov, hospitality and travel technologist, says the Gemini AI agents, and other agentic AI competitors, are one of the biggest moments in the history of the online travel industry. —Trevor Laurence Jockims, CNBC, 16 May 2025

To do just that, the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer—a leading luxury hospitality powerhouse in the area—decided to partner with Dominique London, a leading cigars and spirts company, to bring the project to life. —Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 16 May 2025

Lefton will lead the development and implementation of the comprehensive short- and long-term sales and service strategies for all U.S. Open tickets, including new and existing club, suite, experience and hospitality products. —Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 16 May 2025

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

Phrases Containing hospitality

• hospitality suite

Rhymes for hospitality

• abnormality
• cardinality
• commonality
• communality
• cordiality
• corporeality
• criminality
• criticality
• functionality
• generality
• geniality
• illegality

Kids Definition

hospitality

noun

hos·​pi·​tal·​i·​ty ˌhäs-pə-ˈtal-ət-ē 

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