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
As Von Teese straps on a new corset and Christian Louboutin heels, her fleet of fast-tapping dancers entertain the audience.
—
Bryan West, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2025
Win or lose, the 2025 Padres should be entertaining on most days or nights.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2025
While older teens might appreciate its message about family and independence, younger kids will likely be more confused than entertained.
—Annabelle Canela, Parents, 26 Mar. 2025
Like Patti, these women have built empires that merge their passion for food, home, and entertaining with sharp business acumen, inspiring generations to embrace creativity, culture, community values and enterprise development.
4.
—Britney Porter, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for entertain
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Bryan West, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2025
Win or lose, the 2025 Padres should be entertaining on most days or nights.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2025
While older teens might appreciate its message about family and independence, younger kids will likely be more confused than entertained.
—Annabelle Canela, Parents, 26 Mar. 2025
Like Patti, these women have built empires that merge their passion for food, home, and entertaining with sharp business acumen, inspiring generations to embrace creativity, culture, community values and enterprise development.
4.
—Britney Porter, Forbes, 24 Mar. 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 Mar. 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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