the act of entertaining; agreeable occupation for the mind; diversion; amusement: Solving the daily crossword puzzle is an entertainment for many.
2.
something affording pleasure, diversion, or amusement, especially a performance of some kind: The highlight of the ball was an elaborate entertainment.
3.
hospitable provision for the needs and wants of guests.
4.
a divertingly adventurous, comic, or picaresque novel.
1530s, provision for support of a retainer; manner of social behavior, now obsolete, along with other 16c. senses; from entertain + -ment. Meaning the amusement of someone is from 1610s; that which entertains is from 1650s; public performance or display meant to amuse is from 1727.