An agreeable occupation for the mind, a diversion, or an amusement: A crossword puzzle is an entertainment for many people. Entertaining can occur at any scale, from an activity for an individual or a small group, to an elaborate celebration or religious festival, to performances intended for thousands of people and beyond. Entertainment can also have a serious purpose, such as in the form of ceremony, celebration or satire.

The word Entertaiment derives from the medieval Latin phrase inter tenere, meaning “to hold within.” The prefix inter indicates that the entertainment is held inside; the suffix tenere suggests the idea of holding something back or keeping it under control. Its root, ten, dates to the Indo-European word for stretching. Many forms of entertainment reflect the themes that the human brain evolved to deeply respond to, such as social backstabbing and murders.