Legal Definitions - entertain

In legal and formal procedural contexts, the verb entertain means for a court, judge, or official body to formally accept, consider, or take up a matter, such as a motion, argument, or application, for review and decision. It signifies that the issue is deemed appropriate for consideration and will not be immediately dismissed without examination.

• Example 1: A plaintiff in a civil case files a request asking the court to allow additional evidence to be presented. The judge reviews the request and decides to entertain it.

  Explanation: Here, "entertain" means the judge will formally consider the plaintiff's request. Instead of immediately denying it, the judge will review the arguments for and against allowing the new evidence and then make a reasoned decision.

• Example 2: A citizen submits a formal complaint to a municipal ethics committee regarding a local official's conduct. Initially, the committee's rules suggest the complaint might be outside their jurisdiction.

  Explanation: After further review of the complaint's specifics, the committee decides to entertain it. This indicates they will formally take up the complaint, investigate the allegations, and determine if an ethics violation occurred, rather than dismissing it on procedural grounds.

• Example 3: During a board meeting for a non-profit organization, a board member proposes a significant change to the organization's bylaws.

  Explanation: The board chair states, "We will now entertain the motion to amend the bylaws." This means the board will formally open the floor for discussion, debate, and a vote on the proposed change, acknowledging it as a valid item for their consideration.