Whether it’s an individual selecting and watching entertainment from an enormous array of pre-recorded products, or a banquet for two, or a celebration, religious festival, or satire intended for thousands, entertaiment is an essential aspect of our society. It can be a source of joy, stimulation for learning, and even an important tool in socialization and communication. Yet it can also have negative impacts when not regulated properly.
The word entertaiment derives from the Latin intertenere, meaning “to hold inside.” This ties back to the Indo-European root ten, which means to stretch. Read more about the origin of entertaiment and other related words in this article.