Entertaiment is a significant industry that contributes to our societal needs. It keeps us amused, diverted and engaged through a variety of activities such as films, television, books, music and video games. It also has a cultural dimension, influenced by narrative traditions and moralism.
The word entertainment traces back to the medieval Latin intertenere, derived from the Indo-European root ten, meaning “to hold.” Its evolution has adapted to various scales: from an individual selecting an entertainment on his or her own from a vast array of pre-recorded options; to banquets for two; to a performance geared for thousands of people. It has shown a great capacity for creative remix across different media, ensuring continuity and longevity. Entertainment can also serve a serious purpose, as seen in the case of ceremonies, celebrations, religious festivals and satire.