About This Article
Entertaiment — the act of entertaining, or agreeable occupation for the mind; diversion; amusement: Solving the daily crossword is an entertainment for many. Entertainment also refers to performances of a certain kind, such as a play or a ball. It may also describe the activities of a hospitable host, or the provisions made for the enjoyment of guests. The word comes from the Medieval Latin inter tenere, from the root ten, meaning to hold or keep inside. In modern times, entertainment can take the form of pre-recorded music that is loaded onto a personal player; or it may be a large public event involving performers and an audience.