Definition of INFOTAINMENT

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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

Recent Examples on the Web

But iPhone owners will appreciate how cleanly their phone is integrated into the X3's infotainment system. — Carlos Lago, Edmunds, USA TODAY, "Edmunds compares the Audi Q5 and BMW X3. Which luxury SUV has the edge?," 13 July 2018 The InTouch infotainment system has been updated, allowing drivers to personalize driving characteristics and the cabin environment using the 8.0-inch dash touch screen, as well as through buttons beneath the screen and on the steering wheel. — star-telegram, "Infiniti QX80 full-size luxury SUV brings elegance, technology to the family hauler," 30 June 2018 Many car infotainment systems have their own dedicated music streaming apps, and in-car smartphone syncing systems like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay will display the streaming app’s interface on the dashboard itself. — Kim Komando, Fox News, "5 essential tech options for your new car," 6 July 2018 Many car infotainment systems have their own dedicated music streaming apps, and in-car smartphone syncing systems like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay will display the streaming app’s interface on the dashboard itself. — Kim Komando, USA TODAY, "5 essential tech options for your new car," 6 July 2018 The central, 8-inch infotainment touchscreen is oriented in portrait mode to save space. — Basem Wasef, WIRED, "McLaren's $958,966 Senna Hypercar Ain't Pretty, but It Can Whip a Track," 30 June 2018 And the wide touch screen above those controls is simple enough to navigate for audio, navigation, trip computer, infotainment apps and more. — Mark Maynard, sandiegouniontribune.com, "2018 Honda Accord 2.0T: Near perfect, in an imperfect world," 1 June 2018 Built-in navigation has quick responses and easy-to-read graphics, although with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the navigation system and other infotainment features may be redundant. — Emma Jayne Williams, star-telegram, "Hyundai’s 2018 Kona small crossover starts at $19,500, offers all-wheel drive | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 19 May 2018 Among new safety and connectivity technology are seven- and 8-inch-diagonal MyLink infotainment systems designed to support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as the OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. — G. Chambers Williams Iii, Houston Chronicle, "Chevrolet Equinox turbo-diesel joins lineup," 19 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'infotainment.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.