# entertainment

/ˌɛnɝˈteɪnmənt/ (US) · /ˌɛntətˈeɪnmənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/entertainment
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. general amusement

noun · CEFR B1

the feeling of being amused or the general activity of having fun through shows, music, or games.

For teachers: the action of providing or being provided with amusement or enjoyment. Uncountable in this abstract sense.

- The city offers plenty of entertainment for families, including parks and museums.
- The cruise ship provides a wide variety of entertainment to ensure that passengers of all ages remain occupied during the long voyage.

### 2. a specific show

noun · CEFR B1

a specific performance or show, like a play or a concert.

For teachers: a specific performance, event, or activity designed to amuse an audience. Countable in this sense.

- The local school put on a musical entertainment for the parents.
- The evening's entertainment consisted of a string quartet followed by a brief but impressive display of traditional folk dancing.

### 3. the industry

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

the business of making films, television, and music.

For teachers: the commercial industry devoted to producing and distributing media for public amusement.

- She moved to Los Angeles to find a job in the entertainment industry.
- Technological shifts have fundamentally altered the entertainment landscape, forcing traditional studios to compete with global streaming platforms.

## Examples

- The hotel provides live entertainment every evening.
- The city offers a wide variety of entertainment, ranging from high-end theater productions to small street festivals.
- While the documentary was intended to be educational, the director included several dramatic sequences to ensure it also functioned as a piece of popular entertainment.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.