entertains

Verb

entertain (third-person singular simple present entertains, present participle entertaining, simple past and past participle entertained)

1. (transitive) To amuse (someone); to engage the attention of agreeably.
   • to entertain friends with lively conversation
2. (intransitive, transitive) To have someone over at one's home, or some other venue, for a party or visit.
   • They enjoy entertaining a lot.
3. (transitive) To receive and take into consideration; to have a thought in mind.
   • The committee would like to entertain the idea of reducing the budget figures.
4. (obsolete) To take or keep in one's service; to maintain; to support; to harbour; to keep.
   • Intreat 'em fair, and give them friendly speech,
     And seem to them as if thy sins were great,
     Till thou hast gotten to be entertain'd.c. 1589–1590 (date written), Christopher Marlo[we], edited by Tho[mas] Heywood, The Famous Tragedy of the Rich Iew of Malta. […], London: […] I[ohn] B[eale] for Nicholas Vavasour, […], published...
5. (obsolete) To meet or encounter, as an enemy.
   • O noble English, that could entertain with half their forces the full pride of France1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Henry the Fift”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount...
6. (obsolete) To lead on; to bring along; to introduce.
   • to baptize all nations, and to entertain them into the services and institutions of the holy Jesus1651–1653, Jer[emy] Taylor, ΕΝΙΑΥΤΟΣ [Eniautos]. A Course of Sermons for All the Sundays of the Year. […], 2nd edition, London: […] Richard Royston […], published 1655, →OCLC

See all 9 meanings of entertain