entertain
verb
en·ter·tain
ˌen-tər-ˈtān 
entertained; entertaining; entertains
1
: to show hospitality to
entertain guests
2
: to provide entertainment for
3
a
: to keep, hold, or maintain in the mind
I entertain grave doubts about her sincerity.
b
: to receive and take into consideration
refused to entertain our plea
4
: to play against (an opposing team) on one's home field or court
: to provide entertainment especially for guests
entertainer
noun
Examples of entertain in a Sentence
They like to entertain their friends at their summer home.
Much of his job as a salesman involves entertaining clients.
Jugglers were on hand to entertain the crowd.
Our father entertained us with stories.
Our father's stories entertained us.
Recent Examples on the Web
Volta gave demonstrations to scientific institutes across Europe with esteemed attendees, including Napoleon Bonaparte, and entertained audiences in theaters with electric devices.
—
Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 26 May 2025
It's marketed firmly at the latter, a STEM tool designed to educate and entertain children from 6 upwards, who have a burgeoning interest in space.
—Chris McMullen, Space.com, 24 May 2025
These rattles, found in a neighborhood dating back to the Early Bronze Age, were likely used to entertain children, much like toys today.
—Real-Time News Team, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025
The trade deadline is under two months away and the club may decide to entertain that market.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for entertain
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 26 May 2025
It's marketed firmly at the latter, a STEM tool designed to educate and entertain children from 6 upwards, who have a burgeoning interest in space.
—Chris McMullen, Space.com, 24 May 2025
These rattles, found in a neighborhood dating back to the Early Bronze Age, were likely used to entertain children, much like toys today.
—Real-Time News Team, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025
The trade deadline is under two months away and the club may decide to entertain that market.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for entertain
Cite this Entry
“Entertain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entertain. Accessed 31 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
entertain
verb
en·ter·tain
ˌent-ər-ˈtān
1
: to receive and provide for as host : have as a guest
entertain friends over the weekend
2
a
: to provide entertainment
b
: to be a source of entertainment for
entertained us with stories
3
: to have in mind : consider
entertained thoughts of quitting
entertainer
noun
ˌen-tər-ˈtā-nər
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