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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.
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Examples of entrée in a Sentence
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
The 70 recipes range from cocktails and coffee drinks to entrees, salads and desserts.
—Kate Murphy, Axios, 8 Oct. 2024
Krazy Cajun Seafood & Hibachi opened its second location in Tempe, offering customizable seafood boils and baskets plus hibachi entrees, yakisoba and fried rice dishes.
—Endia Fontanez, The Arizona Republic, 3 Oct. 2024
Gastronomic delights will be served at multiple dining venues spotlighting international and local cuisine, including delectable appetizers, entrees and desserts.
—Roger Sands, Forbes, 1 Oct. 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.
Dictionary Entries Near entrée
Cite this Entry
“Entrée.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entr%C3%A9e. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
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entrée
nounfrom French entrée "act or manner of entering"
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