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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
Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Feb. 2025
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Food offerings include antipasti like wagyu carpaccio, housemade pastas, and entrees like the fan favorite veal parmigiana served on the bone.
—Sara Rosenthal, The Denver Post, 12 Feb. 2025
It was known not only for its duck entrees but an expansive and decadent chocolate dessert bar, said to be the first in the city.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 11 Feb. 2025
And his eight touchdowns set a standard for the position, which went from a side dish the previous two seasons to Miami’s main entree in 2024.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2025
Animal Noises The original poster (OP) explained that the group of seven young diners was rowdy, using excessive profanity and making animal noises while ordering the most expensive entrees and desserts.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 8 Feb. 2025
The chain restaurant will post promos on X and Instagram that reward up to 50,000 free entrees throughout the game.
—Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 3 Feb. 2025
There’s a swath of wine, cocktails, appetizers, desserts and entrees to choose from, but it’s not meant to overwhelm the customer who’s not used to eating at restaurants with white tablecloths.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 1 Feb. 2025
Where there’s a group, there’s bound to be a spread of delicious appetizers, sides, dips and savory entrees to be had.
—Nick Siano, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Entrée.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entr%C3%A9e. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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entrée
nounfrom French entrée "act or manner of entering"
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