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
Up next The Kings will entertain the Pelicans on Saturday before setting out on a three-game road trip.
—
Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 7 Feb. 2025
Opera House management is making provisions to entertain the greatest crowd that ever witnessed a basketball contest in this city.
—Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
After almost a year together, the One Year of Love game is sure to entertain.
—Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2025
Be thoroughly entertained: From solo musicians playing background music in the lobby bar to Broadway-type shows on the main stage, entertainment is pretty close to omnipresent from bow to stern.
—David Dickstein, Orange County Register, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for entertain 
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Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 7 Feb. 2025
Opera House management is making provisions to entertain the greatest crowd that ever witnessed a basketball contest in this city.
—Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
After almost a year together, the One Year of Love game is sure to entertain.
—Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2025
Be thoroughly entertained: From solo musicians playing background music in the lobby bar to Broadway-type shows on the main stage, entertainment is pretty close to omnipresent from bow to stern.
—David Dickstein, Orange County Register, 5 Feb. 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 10 Feb. 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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