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

The menu includes a selection of 10 entrees, from the country biscuit breakfast to Brioche French toast and more, available all day for dine-in only. —Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, 6 Nov. 2024

Choose from a select menu of entrees, including a 6-ounce sirloin steak, country fried chicken, pulled pork served with two sides and a soft drink, tea or coffee. —Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 5 Nov. 2024

The menu features numerous unique items, with more appetizers than entrees, and about 17 different beers. —Gary Stoller, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024

The appetizer list has classic Italian salads and dressed up seasonal vegetables, while entrees include items such as handmade pastas and red wine-marinated chuck short ribs. —Meira Gebel, Axios, 29 Oct. 2024

Besides a vegetarian risotto, the entrees are burgers and sandwiches, including Colorado lamb sliders and a banh mi turkey burger. —Gary Stoller, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024

Qdoba introduced its birria two years ago, replacing its previous brisket entree permanently and charging customers extra for the new protein option. —Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2024

As the entree of classic New York fare was served, the action led by Lydia Fenet had the crowd laughing, standing, and bidding on art and one-of-a-kind experiences designed by the many fashion houses under Kering’s umbrella. —Arden Fanning Andrews, Vogue, 10 Sep. 2024

There's also a large selection of appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, salads, pizza and other entrees. —Jessica Rodriguez, Journal Sentinel, 8 Oct. 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"