Entertainment

Pronunciation

• IPA: /É›n.tɝˈteɪn.mÉ™nt/

Alternative forms

• entretainment chiefly archaic

Origin

From Old French entretenement; see entertain.

Full definition of entertainment

Noun

1. An activity designed to give pleasure, enjoyment, diversion, amusement, or relaxation to an audience, no matter whether the audience participates passively as in watching opera or a movie, or actively as in games.
• 1957, William O. Douglas, S:Roth v. United States/Dissent Douglas, The delinquents are generally the adventurous type, who have little use for reading and other non-active entertainment.
2. a show put on for the enjoyment or amusement of others
3. (obsolete) maintenance or support
• 1854?, Charles Dickens, S:The Seven Poor Travellers, "This," said the matronly presence, ushering me into a low room on the right, "is where the Travellers sit by the fire, and cook what bits of suppers they buy with their fourpences."

  "O! Then they have no Entertainment?" said I. For the inscription over the outer door was still running in my head, and I was mentally repeating, in a kind of tune, "Lodging, entertainment, and fourpence each."

4. Admission into service; service.
• 1601-1608, William Shakespeare, S:All's Well That Ends Well, He must think us some band of strangers i' the adversary's entertainment.
5. (obsolete) Payment of soldiers or servants; wages.
• Sir John DaviesThe entertainment of the general upon his first arrival was but six shillings and eight pence.