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
But in many cases, the bigger issue is a cast of characters that doesn’t keep us charmed, engaged, curious, or simply entertained enough to want to spend so many hours in their company.
—
Judy Berman, TIME, 13 Aug. 2024
The former Lakers legend continues to keep social media users updated on their adventures and entertained.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 8 Aug. 2024
Through all his life-changing opportunities, Alvarez has remained admirably loyal to the friends who first entertained his filmmaking curiosity back in Montevideo, at a time when working in Hollywood seemed inconceivable.
—Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2024
Get The Recipe 10 of 25 Lemon Lush Retro layered desserts like this pretty Lemon Lush were a hallmark of entertaining in Grandma’s day.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for entertain 
Judy Berman, TIME, 13 Aug. 2024
The former Lakers legend continues to keep social media users updated on their adventures and entertained.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 8 Aug. 2024
Through all his life-changing opportunities, Alvarez has remained admirably loyal to the friends who first entertained his filmmaking curiosity back in Montevideo, at a time when working in Hollywood seemed inconceivable.
—Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2024
Get The Recipe 10 of 25 Lemon Lush Retro layered desserts like this pretty Lemon Lush were a hallmark of entertaining in Grandma’s day.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for entertain
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'entertain.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Entertain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entertain. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
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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