Definition of: entertainment

(en′tər·tān′mənt) noun
1. The act of receiving and caring for guests; hospitable accommodation in the inn or dwelling of a host; the furnishing of food, lodging, and service to a guest.
2. A source or means of amusement; a diverting performance, especially a public performance, as a concert, drama, or the like.
3. Pleasure afforded by an amusing act or spectacle; amusement.
4. A social party; also, the refreshments provided for guests.
5. Obs. Maintenance; employment; service. Synonyms: amusement, cheer, delight, diversion, enjoyment, frolic, fun, merriment, pastime, pleasure, recreation, sport. Entertainment and recreation imply thought and mental occupation, but in an agreeable, refreshing way; they are therefore words of a high order. Entertainment is used of somewhat mirthful, mental delight; recreation may, and usually does, combine the mental with the physical. Amusement and pastime are nearly equivalent, the latter probably the lighter word; many slight things may be pastimes which we should hardly dignify by the name of amusements. Sports are almost wholly on the physical plane, while involving a certain grade of mental action. Cheer may be very quiet, as the cheer of a bright fire to an aged traveler; merriment suggests liveliness and laughter; fun and frolic are apt to be boisterous. Compare ENTERTAIN, FROLIC, SPORT. Antonyms: ennui, fatigue, labor, lassitude, toil, weariness, work.