hospitality

noun

hos·​pi·​tal·​i·​ty ˌhä-spə-ˈta-lə-tē How to pronounce hospitality (audio)
plural hospitalities
1
: hospitable treatment, reception, or disposition
thanked our hosts for their hospitality
2
: the activity or business of providing services to guests in hotels, restaurants, bars, etc.
usually used before another noun
a hospitality suite
Valet parking may be the most commonplace, least understood corner of the hospitality industry.Bruce Feiler
… has turned the hospitality business upside down with his far-out hotel designs …Robert Herzbrun

Examples of hospitality in a Sentence

It was refreshing to be met with such hospitality after our long journey.
Recent Examples on the Web Here’s my review of The Peninsula Chicago, an exquisite five-star hotel where Far Eastern charm and cordiality meet Midwestern hospitality. Wendy Altschuler, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2024 There, it is collected in cleanup campaigns conducted by a hospitality industry eager to keep the beaches pristine for tourists—the mainstay of the Fijian economy. By Aryn Baker/lautoka, Fiji , TIME, 3 July 2024 Equinox, the gym franchise, wanted to expand into hospitality and used Qloo to understand the local market and select partnerships with restaurants. Byluisa Beltran, Fortune, 2 July 2024 Whereas The Bear deals mostly with the kitchen and business side of a restaurant, Sweetbitter focuses on the hospitality side of restaurants while also exploring Tess’ personal life. Skyler Trepel, Peoplemag, 30 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for hospitality 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hospitality.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English hospitalite "reception of guests, provision of lodging," borrowed from Anglo-French hospitalité, borrowed from Latin hospitālitāt-, hospitālitās "entertainment of guests," from Latin hospitālis "of a guest, of hospitality, hospitable" (from hospit-, hospes "guest, host" + -ālis -al entry 1) + -itāt-, -itās -ity — more at host entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hospitality was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near hospitality

Cite this Entry

“Hospitality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hospitality. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

hospitality

noun
hos·​pi·​tal·​i·​ty ˌhäs-pə-ˈtal-ət-ē How to pronounce hospitality (audio)
plural hospitalities
: generous and friendly treatment of visitors and guests
Etymology

Middle English hospitalite "hospitality," from early French hospitalité (same meaning), derived from Latin hospitale "of a guest, showing hospitality," from hospit-, hospes "host, stranger, guest" — related to hospital, host entry 2, hotel

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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