hospitality

noun

hos·​pi·​tal·​i·​ty ˌhä-spə-ˈta-lə-tē 

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

Loeb thinks that an independent and rigorous sales process would yield several interested and qualified parties with significant investing experience in the hospitality sector. —Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 1 Feb. 2025

The modern Montserrat is home to around 70 Benedictine monks, whose lives revolve around solitude, hospitality and five prayer services a day. —Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Jan. 2025

Founded in 2012, the full-service firm specializes in high-end residential projects, as well as hospitality, spa, and aging-in-place designs. —Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 30 Jan. 2025

Demand for wool outside fashion, and in the hospitality sector, is going strong, according to Ackroyd. —Tianwei Zhang, WWD, 28 Jan. 2025

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

Phrases Containing hospitality

• hospitality suite

Kids Definition

hospitality

noun

hos·​pi·​tal·​i·​ty ˌhäs-pə-ˈtal-ət-ē 

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