infotainment
noun
Did you know?
Infotainment, a blend of "information" and "entertainment," first appeared in the early 1980s. Not everyone approves of "infotainment" and similar pieced-together, media-derived words (e.g., "infomercial" and "edutainment"), however. New York Times Magazine writer Joe Morgenstern referred to "infotainment" as "a plastic word, stuck together with show-biz epoxy." An editorialist for a New England newspaper called it "a nauseating word" that "has crept into the language without an invitation." Unfortunately for such detractors, the word continues to be used today. Not only that, but a new, distinct sense of the word is emerging. People in the automotive industry have recently begun using "infotainment" to refer to the state-of-the-art multimedia technologies (such as GPS systems and Internet radio) now available to drivers at the push of a button.
Examples of infotainment in a Sentence
Josh Max, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
Apple iPhone users might soon be able to watch videos on their car's infotainment screen.
—Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 16 June 2025
Inside, the driving experience is elevated with instrument displays that move with the steering column, an enhanced infotainment system, and improved control ergonomics.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 11 June 2025
Plenty of legroom for all passengers and the driver, an easy to use, 11.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system and 12.3-inch digital drivers display was present.
—Marc D Grasso, Hartford Courant, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for infotainment
Cite this Entry
“Infotainment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infotainment. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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