What Is Entertaiment?
Entertaiment is a broad, evolving concept. It has the power to cross over different media and a seemingly endless potential for creative remix. What is entertainment for one group or individual may be considered work or an act of cruelty by another.
This collection of examples is programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘entertainment’. The opinions expressed in these examples do not reflect those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
The word derives from the Old French entretenir, which means hold together or support; it was a way of entertaining guests. From that, the sense grew to mean amusement or distraction. A clown at a birthday party, the Broadway show, your friends fighting over the last potato chip—all entertain.