enter

verb

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en·ter | \ ˈen-tər

entered; entering\ ˈen-t(ə-)riŋ

Definition of enter

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to go or come in

2 : to come or gain admission into a group : join —often used with into

3a : to make a beginning entering upon a career

b : to begin to consider a subject —usually used with into or upon

4 : to go upon land for the purpose of taking possession

5a : to come onstage —usually used in the subjunctive as a stage direction enter Hamlet reading

b : to come into a preestablished situation or context like an actor coming onstage —usually used in the subjunctive enter the new principal with her radical ideas

6 : to play a part : be a factor other considerations enter when money is involved

transitive verb

1 : to come or go into enter a room

2 : inscribe, register enter the names of qualified voters

3 : to cause to be received or admitted enter a child at a school

4 : to put in : insert enter the new data into the computer

5a : to make a beginning in enter politics

b : to go into (a particular period of time) enter middle age

6 : to become a member of or an active participant in enter the university enter a race

7 : to make report of (a ship or its cargo) to customs authorities

8 : to place in proper form before a court of law or upon record enter a writ

9 : to go into or upon and take actual possession of (something, such as land)

10 : to put formally on record entering a complaint

enter into

1 : to make oneself a party to or in enter into an agreement

2 : to form or be part of your prejudices shouldn't enter into it

3 : to participate or share in enter into the spirit of the occasion

enter the lists

: to engage in a fight or struggle

enter-

combining form

variants: or entero-

Definition of enter- (Entry 2 of 2)

: intestine enteritis

Other Words from enter Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More About enter

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Synonyms & Antonyms for enter

Synonyms: Verb

Antonyms: Verb

Choose the Right Synonym for enter

Verb

enter, penetrate, pierce, probe mean to make way into something. enter is the most general of these and may imply either going in or forcing a way in. entered the city in triumph penetrate carries a strong implication of an impelling force or compelling power that achieves entrance. the enemy penetrated the fortress pierce means an entering or cutting through with a sharp pointed instrument. pierced the boil with a lancet probe implies penetration to investigate or explore something hidden from sight or knowledge. probed the depths of the sea

Examples of enter in a Sentence

Verb Knock on the door before you enter the room. The medication will quickly enter the blood stream. The river enters the sea near here. Our son will be entering college next year. enter a child in kindergarten The new battleship is scheduled to enter service next spring. an actor who's just now entering his prime The strike has now entered its second week. We've entered a new phase in our relationship. The country is entering a period of prosperity.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The reason, city officials said, is that different people enter those venues every day, so there is more population mixing, which is riskier. — Erin Allday, San Francisco Chronicle, 7 Oct. 2021 In August, the company’s chairman RC Bhargava dismissed speculation that the company would enter the segment in the near term. — Niharika Sharma, Quartz, 6 Oct. 2021 The organization will also provide career mentorship to Afghans through a partnership with Upwardly Global, a nonprofit that helps immigrants and refugees enter the work force. — New York Times, 3 Oct. 2021 More big employers, like Fidelity, lately have been offering career counseling to help their employees re-enter the workforce. — Next Avenue, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2021 But after immersing herself in the zero-judgement beauty practices of Brazilian women, Yang decided to bottle that confidence and share it with the world: enter Sol de Janeiro. — Taylore Glynn, Marie Claire, 30 Sep. 2021 That could be where Max Strus, Gabe Vincent and even Tyler Herro enter the equation. — Ira Winderman, sun-sentinel.com, 30 Sep. 2021 The two sides likely would enter into negotiations to reach a financial settlement, Park District officials said. — Colleen Kane, chicagotribune.com, 29 Sep. 2021 Joseph Jimenez, 20, did not speak during Monday's hearing at the Riverside Hall of Justice, letting his attorney enter the pleas, the Press-Enterprise reported. — CBS News, 28 Sep. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'enter.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for enter

Verb

Middle English entren, from Anglo-French entrer, from Latin intrare, from intra within; akin to Latin inter between — more at inter-

Combining form

Greek, from enteron — more at inter-

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Dictionary Entries Near enter

entente cordiale

enter

enter-

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Last Updated

11 Oct 2021

Cite this Entry

“Enter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enter. Accessed 20 Oct. 2021.

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More Definitions for enter

enter

verb

English Language Learners Definition of enter

: to go or come into (something)

: to begin to be in (an organization, school, etc.)

: to cause (someone) to be in an organization, school, etc.

See the full definition for enter in the English Language Learners Dictionary

enter

verb

en·ter | \ ˈen-tər

entered; entering

Kids Definition of enter

1 : to come or go in or into enter a room enter middle age

2 : to stab into : pierce The thorn entered my thumb.

3 : to put into a list or book : write down The teacher entered my name on the roster.

4 : to put in or into Enter the data into the computer.

5 : to become a member of I entered a fitness club.

6 : to become a participant in or take an interest in enter a race enter politics

7 : enroll in : begin attending enter kindergarten

enter

intransitive verb

en·ter

Legal Definition of enter

: to go or come in specifically : to go upon real property by right of entry especially to take possession lessor shall have the right to enter and take possession —often used in deeds and leases

transitive verb

1 : to come or go into he breaks into and enters a vehicle — Code of Alabama — see also break, breaking and entering

2 : record, register

3 : to put in correct form before a court or on a record entered judgment against the defendant entering a plea — compare render

4 : to go upon (real property) by right of entry especially to take possession if the lessee defaults, the lessor may enter the premises — compare distrain

enter into

: to make oneself a party to or in no State shall enter into any treaty, alliance or confederation — U.S. Constitution art. I