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
Then there was the time McEwen, while entertaining a guest at Bern’s Steak House, saw two out-of-town friends also dining at the famous restaurant.
—
Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2025
The only potential scenario of coaching in the NFL that Deion has reportedly entertained is the chance to coach his sons, quarterback Shedeur and defensive back Shilo.
—Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Jan. 2025
In general, brain rot can also refer to surrealist content created to entertain people whose attention spans have presumably withered away thanks to time spent scrolling, or to a state of general onlineness that has rewired one’s mind.
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2025
This 3,251-square-foot expansive home features four levels of living, an open space floor plan, room to entertain, plenty of work-from-home spaces, great natural light and an array of updates.
—Karen A. Avitabile, Hartford Courant, 12 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for entertain 
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Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2025
The only potential scenario of coaching in the NFL that Deion has reportedly entertained is the chance to coach his sons, quarterback Shedeur and defensive back Shilo.
—Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Jan. 2025
In general, brain rot can also refer to surrealist content created to entertain people whose attention spans have presumably withered away thanks to time spent scrolling, or to a state of general onlineness that has rewired one’s mind.
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2025
This 3,251-square-foot expansive home features four levels of living, an open space floor plan, room to entertain, plenty of work-from-home spaces, great natural light and an array of updates.
—Karen A. Avitabile, Hartford Courant, 12 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for entertain
Articles Related to entertain
Dictionary Entries Near entertain
Cite this Entry
“Entertain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entertain. Accessed 18 Jan. 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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