Entertaiment is a kind of pleasure, joy, or delight, often involving some form of performance. From the clown at your child’s birthday party to a Broadway show, from the stadium rock concert to the fight over the last potato chip—everything that gives us a sense of fun and distraction can be considered entertainment. The word originated as a synonym for hospitality—to entertain means to keep guests happy.

This article was originally published in September 2012. It has since been updated.