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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
Adelle Platon, VIBE.com, 15 Apr. 2025
The happy couple are therefore within their rights not to reissue invitations that were previously declined merely because the date, the location and the entree (though not, perhaps, the bridegroom) have changed.
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2025
Bell and Anchor in Sag Harbor serves Montauk pearl oysters and lobster, but the fish entrees are only pan-roasted Scottish salmon, bouillabaisse and flounder.
—John Mariani, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Most entrees range from $9.52 to $14.92 - everything comes in twos, naturally (prices higher for lobster and bigger cuts of meat).
—Jeff Kleinman, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025
In January 2022, Qatari foreign agents sent Marshall’s office an invitation for dinner at the Capital Grille, a swanky steakhouse near the White House where the cheapest entree goes for $46.
—Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025
But nestled next to those options include creative entrees like clams dunked in a complex birria broth, salmon made with poblano pasta and fresh seafood options, like a tuna and hamachi crudito and raw oysters featuring a passion fruit mignonette.
—Zachery Eanes, Axios, 24 Mar. 2025
The Buy One, Take One menu includes several entrees priced between $14.99 and $22.99.
—Alyssa Davis, Southern Living, 17 Mar. 2025
Each option includes at least one entree and one side dish.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Entrée.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entr%C3%A9e. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.
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entrée
nounfrom French entrée "act or manner of entering"
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