Entertaiment is a type of art form or activity that involves an audience to create an experience of pleasure and enjoyment. It is a common and widespread practice that can vary in scale, from an individual selecting pre-recorded entertainment for personal consumption; to a couple having a romantic evening with music, dance, and cuisine adapted for two; to large events intended for a global public. It may also have a serious purpose, as in the case of ceremonies, religious festivals, and satire.

The word is derived from the Medieval Latin intertenere, from the prefix inter-, meaning “inside” and the suffix tenere, based on the Indo-European root ten, meaning to stretch or extend. Its synonyms include amusement, joy, and delight. Its connotations often include the idea of a hedonistic state in which one forgets all problems and wishes that the moment never end.