entrée

noun

en·​trée ˈän-ˌtrā 

 also  än-ˈtrā

variants or entree

1

a

: the act or manner of entering : entrance

b

: freedom of entry or access

2

: the main course of a meal in the U.S.

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.

Synonyms

• access
• accession
• admission
• admittance
• door
• doorway
• entrance
• entry
• gateway
• ingress
• key
• passport
• ticket

Examples of entrée in a Sentence

We had steak as an entrée.

entrée to the country club is through sponsorship by someone who is already a member

Recent Examples on the Web

Holiday packages come with a starter, a pasta, two entrees and a dessert. —Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 13 Dec. 2024

All entrees include seasonal vegetables and signature dipping sauces. —Elaine Rewolinski, Journal Sentinel, 11 Dec. 2024

The precision and technique, for entrees that are less than $20 but taste gloriously luxurious, is impeccable. —Andy Wang, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

The menu breaks down with starters, entrees, and sides — eight each — with the option to add bread service a la carte. —Paul Brady, Travel + Leisure, 6 Dec. 2024

Rosebud: The classic Italian spot with locations on Rush Street and in Deerfield, Lemont and Rosemont will pack up apps, pastas, entrees, sides and desserts like baked clams, ziti, meatballs and tiramisu. —Monica Eng, Axios, 24 Nov. 2024

Before Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson went on to become one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history, his entree into the league was abruptly interrupted. —Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 20 Nov. 2024

The promotion is not valid with a bread bowl upgrade, kids menu items, half entrees and cups, breakfast items, Group Soups, Family Feasts and caterings. —Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 1 Nov. 2024

About Peach and Blossom Biden pardoned Peach and Blossom this year from having to be Thanksgiving entrees. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French entrée, from Old French — more at entry

First Known Use

1692, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

entrée

noun

en·​trée

variants or entree

ˈän-ˌtrā 

1

: the main dish of a meal

2

a

: entrance entry 1 sense 1

b

: freedom of entry

Etymology

from French entrée "act or manner of entering"