entertainment

noun entertainments · entretainment · intertainment

1. countable, uncountable 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. The delinquents are generally the adventurous type, who have little use for reading and other non-active entertainment.

   Similar: fare

2. countable, uncountable A show put on for the enjoyment or amusement of others.
3. countable, obsolete, uncountable Maintenance or support. "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, a
4. countable, obsolete, uncountable An admission into service; a service. He must think us some band of strangers i' the adversary's entertainment.
5. countable, obsolete, uncountable The payment of soldiers or servants; wages. The entertainment of the general upon his first arrival was but six shillings and eight pence.
6. countable, obsolete, uncountable A reception; a (provision of) food to guests or travellers. I prithee, shepherd, if that love or gold Can in this desert place buy entertainment, Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.