hospitality

noun

hos·​pi·​tal·​i·​ty ˌhä-spə-ˈta-lə-tē How to pronounce hospitality (audio)
plural hospitalities
1
: hospitable treatment, reception, or disposition
thanked our hosts for their hospitality
2
: the activity or business of providing services to guests in hotels, restaurants, bars, etc.
usually used before another noun
a hospitality suite
Valet parking may be the most commonplace, least understood corner of the hospitality industry.Bruce Feiler
… has turned the hospitality business upside down with his far-out hotel designs …Robert Herzbrun

Examples of hospitality in a Sentence

It was refreshing to be met with such hospitality after our long journey.
Recent Examples on the Web The strike, which started in early July, involved more than 15,000 hospitality workers at some 60 properties in Los Angeles and Orange counties. Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2024 This hospitality powerhouse brings the glamour of Hollywood to Music City and the home of Tennessee whiskey. Brittney Oliver, Essence, 28 May 2024 The Cooks' House 6:30 p.m. Treat yourself to a taste of place Back in town, settle into the good care of the hospitality wizards at the Cooks’ House, a 26-seat gem. Stacey Nield Brugeman, New York Times, 24 May 2024 The Gale, four years in the making, is owned by GFO Investments, a wealth management firm focused on hospitality. Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 22 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for hospitality 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hospitality.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English hospitalite "reception of guests, provision of lodging," borrowed from Anglo-French hospitalité, borrowed from Latin hospitālitāt-, hospitālitās "entertainment of guests," from Latin hospitālis "of a guest, of hospitality, hospitable" (from hospit-, hospes "guest, host" + -ālis -al entry 1) + -itāt-, -itās -ity — more at host entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hospitality was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near hospitality

Cite this Entry

“Hospitality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hospitality. Accessed 12 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

hospitality

noun
hos·​pi·​tal·​i·​ty ˌhäs-pə-ˈtal-ət-ē How to pronounce hospitality (audio)
plural hospitalities
: generous and friendly treatment of visitors and guests
Etymology

Middle English hospitalite "hospitality," from early French hospitalité (same meaning), derived from Latin hospitale "of a guest, showing hospitality," from hospit-, hospes "host, stranger, guest" — related to hospital, host entry 2, hotel

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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