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 backstory Opened in 2016 as Atton Brickell, the property was acquired and rebranded by French hospitality giant Accor under its stylish Novotel umbrella. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026

The property spans about 64 acres and 17 buildings, including commercial storefronts, hospitality venues, residential properties and agricultural land. — Amy Wenk, AJC.com, 17 Sep. 2026

In truth, that was just the latest example and another to add to the pile, along with the group of fans who had their season tickets in prime locations at the stadium moved to accommodate hospitality seats and to satisfy UEFA regulations. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Here’s how our team two-stepped their way to a future-minded farmhouse that emphasizes the land, simplifies hospitality, and highlights smart innovations to boot. — Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2026

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