Did you know?
The culinary sense of entrée can be traced back to 18th-century Britain. In those days a formal dinner could include not only the principal courses of soup, fish, meat, and dessert, but also an impressive array of side dishes. Between the fish and meat courses would come a small side dish, and because this secondary dish came immediately before the centerpiece of the meal, it was called the entrée, being, in effect, the entrance to the really important part of the meal. As dining habits have changed, meals have become simpler, and fewer courses are served. However, in the US, the course following the appetizer continued to be called the entrée, perhaps because it is a French word, and anything French always sounds elegant.
Examples of entrée in a Sentence
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Food trucks are taking part this year alongside restaurants, which are offering a free desert or app with the purchase of two entrees or a limited-time menu.
—Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025
The value of that entree into that market is way more significant than selling it to a traditional broadcaster in Japan.
—Michael S. Schmidt, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
The first 2,500 players each hour will win a buy-one-get-one free entree.
—Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 2 Apr. 2025
Our entrees were brought out and despite several people around the woman just kept going with her conversation, phone propped up by her water glass while the teenager was on her phone.
—Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
In addition to ramen and sushi, Kinya Ramen’s entrees range from sweet and sour chicken ($13.95) and honey almond shrimp ($15.95) to Mandarin pork ($13.95) and General Tsao chicken ($13.95).
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 27 Mar. 2025
Enjoy entrees including salmon, pork chops, risotto, and more, and be sure to cap off your meal with a delicious espresso martini.
—Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 23 Mar. 2025
Though these prawns have spiny shells that are difficult to peel, the meat has a sweet taste like lobster, making this entree one of the eatery’s main attractions.
—Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Entrée.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entr%C3%A9e. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
entrée
nounfrom French entrée "act or manner of entering"
Share