entertainment

[en-ter-teyn-muh nt] /ˌɛn tərˈteɪn mənt/
noun
1.
the act of entertaining; agreeable occupation for the mind; diversion; amusement:
Solving the daily crossword puzzle is an entertainment for many.
2.
something affording pleasure, diversion, or amusement, especially a performance of some kind:
The highlight of the ball was an elaborate entertainment.
3.
hospitable provision for the needs and wants of guests.
4.
a divertingly adventurous, comic, or picaresque novel.
5.
Obsolete. maintenance in service.
Origin
1525-35; entertain + -ment
Related forms
nonentertainment, noun, adjective
preentertainment, noun
self-entertainment, noun
Examples from the web for entertainment
  • Retailers and purveyors of entertainment increasingly know our buying history and the vagaries of our unique tastes.
  • The digital revolution in entertainment was expected to sweep all before it.
  • Science meets entertainment at the bottom of the sea.
  • There are many benefits to this heritage beyond simple entertainment value.
  • As they bond over its preparation, dinner becomes entertainment and the meal rolled into one.
  • Of course, there was also plenty of entertainment that didn't require a lot of money.
  • His fans have a history of following him across the entertainment spectrum.
  • Discusses the area's shift from a major shipping port to a place known for leisure and entertainment.
  • There has never been so much choice in entertainment.
  • Knowing they had support seemed to make students less concerned about depleting their mental energy on mere entertainment.
British Dictionary definitions for entertainment

entertainment

/ˌɛntəˈteɪnmənt/
noun
1.
the act or art of entertaining or state of being entertained
2.
an act, production, etc, that entertains; diversion; amusement
Word Origin and History for entertainment
n.

1530s, "provision for support of a retainer; manner of social behavior," now obsolete, along with other 16c. senses; from entertain + -ment. Meaning "the amusement of someone" is from 1610s; "that which entertains" is from 1650s; "public performance or display meant to amuse" is from 1727.