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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
Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2025
People will be able to grab their fresh extruded and filled pasta to go, along with lasagna and other entrees like meatballs.
—Laura Barrero, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025
Instead, the menu will diversify into small plates, tapas, tacos and other entrees, Allen says.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 25 Feb. 2025
Prime rib is available as an entree or a French Dip sandwich, and the rotisserie chicken comes with two sides and a dipping sauce.
—Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2025
The $60-per-person dinner includes cheddar-chive mini scones as an appetizer, followed by a choice of soup or salad, an individual entree and a shared dessert.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 10 Feb. 2025
That’s why Seltzer recommends getting a hold of the menu before going to the restaurant and choosing entrees ahead of time.
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 24 Jan. 2025
Their Arlington location will serve lunch Wednesday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Taste Community menu
The Arlington Taste Community kitchen will offer six small plates and six lunch entrees.
—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
Cite this Entry
“Entrée.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entr%C3%A9e. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
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entrée
nounfrom French entrée "act or manner of entering"
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