Definition: Hospitality

Etymology

From Middle English hospitalite, from Old French hospitalité (modern French hospitalité), from Latin hospitālitās (hospitality), from hospitālis (hospitable), from hospes (guest, host). Displaced native Old English cumlīþnes (literally "guest gentleness").

Noun

hospitality (countable and uncountable, plural hospitalities)

1. The act or service of welcoming, receiving, hosting, or entertaining guests; an appropriate attitude of openness, respect, and generosity toward guests.

   Please thank our hosts for their hospitality during the week that we stayed.

2. (business) The business of providing catering, lodging, and entertainment service; the industry which includes the operation of hotels, restaurants, and similar enterprises.

   After graduating from college, she found a job in hospitality.

3. The food, drink, and entertainment given to customers by a company or organization or provided to visitors by a private host.

Derived terms

• corporate hospitality
• Southern hospitality

Related terms

• host
• hospitable
• hospital

Credits

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