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
Frolova-Walker and Walker, at the end of their book on the Shostakovich Fifth, entertain an enticing possibility: What if the work actually had nothing to do with Stalin?
—
Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
Six rounds into the eight-round match—which ended in a unanimous decision for Paul—the commentator Rosie Perez, a longtime friend of Tyson’s, dropped any pretense of being entertained.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 20 Nov. 2024
As for what is available from the kitchen of the woman who once owned the most Weight Watchers franchises in the world, there’s not a ton from that area of the home – but Mark loved to entertain and hosted many a fundraiser in the lower level of her home, Stearn said.
—Darcie Moran, Detroit Free Press, 14 Nov. 2024
Sabrina Carpenter launched her Phoenix concert with 'Taste' Carpenter's theatrics and facial expressions throughout the night were enough to keep you entertained all on their own, and her strong vocals were the cherry on top of a fun evening.
—Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for entertain 
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Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
Six rounds into the eight-round match—which ended in a unanimous decision for Paul—the commentator Rosie Perez, a longtime friend of Tyson’s, dropped any pretense of being entertained.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 20 Nov. 2024
As for what is available from the kitchen of the woman who once owned the most Weight Watchers franchises in the world, there’s not a ton from that area of the home – but Mark loved to entertain and hosted many a fundraiser in the lower level of her home, Stearn said.
—Darcie Moran, Detroit Free Press, 14 Nov. 2024
Sabrina Carpenter launched her Phoenix concert with 'Taste' Carpenter's theatrics and facial expressions throughout the night were enough to keep you entertained all on their own, and her strong vocals were the cherry on top of a fun evening.
—Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 14 Nov. 2024
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 29 Nov. 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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