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.
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 WebWomen get a free bottle of bubbly with purchase of an entree.—Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 27 June 2024 This includes: 20 entrees that include eight seafood dishes.—Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2024 There’s Class Inside That Glass of Tang A scholar examines kitschy American foods as an entree into a conversation about class in the United States.—JSTOR Daily, 24 June 2024 Bell, husband Tim and daughter Sadie planned to dine in Thursday evening and also get a takeout order of the Toscana entree for her mother, Dorothy Kornder.—Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 20 June 2024 Select Joe Vicari Restaurant Group locations have a free entree offer.—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 14 June 2024 Here's where to score deals on egg rolls today:
Sullivan's Steakhouse
Sullivan's is offering all VIP Rewards members a free egg roll appetizer with the purchase of an entree on June 10.—Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 10 June 2024 New entrees include shawarma, swordfish, griot (crispy pork shoulder) with pikliz and chicken cordon bleu.—Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 6 June 2024 Expect egg rolls, noodle entrees, soups and salads, and in the future, sushi.—Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 5 June 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'entrée.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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