divertissement

[ dih-vur-tis-muh nt; French dee-ver-tees-mahn ]
/ dɪˈvɜr tɪs mənt; French di vɛr tisˈmɑ̃ /

noun, plural di·ver·tisse·ments [dih-vur-tis-muh nts; French dee-ver-tees-mahn] /dɪˈvɜr tɪs mənts; French di vɛr tisˈmɑ̃/.

a diversion or entertainment.
Music. divertimento.
a short ballet or other performance serving as an interlude in a play, opera, etc.
a program consisting of such performances.

Origin of divertissement

1720–30; < French, equivalent to divertisse- (stem of divertir to divert) + -ment -ment

British Dictionary definitions for divertissement

divertissement
/ (dɪˈvɜːtɪsmənt, French divɛrtismɑ̃) /

noun

a brief entertainment or diversion, usually between the acts of a play
music
  1. a fantasia on popular melodies; potpourri
  2. a piece or pieces written to be played during the intervals in a play, opera, etc
  3. another word for divertimento

Word Origin for divertissement

C18: from French: entertainment