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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
Finch Walker, USA Today, 15 June 2026
Cotoletta also serves only one entree, veal Milanese, a concept that did so well in Miami that owners Ignacio Lopez Mancisidor, Mattia Cicognani and Andrea Fraquelli opened a second location in Miami Beach at the end of 2025.
—Connie Ogle
june 15, Miami Herald, 15 June 2026
This Mediterranean-style enclave is home to not only top-notch service, but also, the most delicious and well-prepared entrees.
—Wendy Altschuler, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Each kid’s mac and cheese entree comes with a medium-sized mac and cheese, a choice of a small side item (Buddy Fruits Apple Sauce, Chick-fil-A Waffle Potato Fries, Fruit Cup, Chick-fil-A Waffle Potato Chips in Original or Chick-fil-A Sauce Flavors), a kid’s drink, and a prize.
—Molly Burford, Southern Living, 11 June 2026
Ivar’s River Pub offers dreamy river views overlooking Rio Vista Falls (patio seating is a must in good weather) paired with classic pub appetizers, hearty sandwiches and entrees, plus all-day breakfast.
—Jill Robbins, Travel + Leisure, 11 June 2026
All were treated to an exquisite seated dinner of tropical fruit salad and surf-and-turf entrees.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 11 June 2026
In simple terms, his mother and her second husband had raised him an an upper-class Brit, hence his easy entree into London’s theater scene and his ability to cut a dashing path.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026
Ladies get a free bottle of bubbly with purchase of an entree.
—Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Entrée.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entr%C3%A9e. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
entrée
nounfrom French entrée "act or manner of entering"
