Entertaiment is a multifaceted concept, and the word itself has roots in Greek through the words for bowel or intestine. Its Medieval Latin form intertenere means “to hold inside.” It can be a simple pleasure, like solving the daily crossword puzzle; it can be elaborate and involve thousands of people as with a ball or festival. It can also be serious, as with a ceremony or satire.

Entertainment can also be a means of escape to another world, a euphoric state where one forgets their problems and wishes that the moment would last forever. This is a powerful emotion that can be exploited for commercial gain and can have damaging consequences.