1. To hold the attention of with something amusing or diverting. See synonyms at amuse.
2. To extend hospitality toward: entertain friends at dinner.
3. 1. To consider; contemplate: entertain an idea.
   2. To hold in mind; harbor: entertained few illusions.
4. Archaic. To continue with; maintain.
5. Obsolete. To employ; hire.
6. To give admittance to; receive.

1. To show hospitality to guests.
2. To provide entertainment.

[Middle English entertinen, to maintain, from Old French entretenir, from Medieval Latin intertenēre : Latin inter, among; see inter- + Latin tenēre, to hold.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.