entrée

noun

en·​trée ˈän-ˌtrā 

 also  än-ˈtrā

variants or entree

1

a

: the act or manner of entering : entrance

b

: freedom of entry or access

2

: the main course of a meal in the U.S.

Did you know?

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.

Synonyms

• access
• accession
• admission
• admittance
• door
• doorway
• entrance
• entry
• gateway
• ingress
• key
• passport
• ticket

Examples of entrée in a Sentence

We had steak as an entrée.

entrée to the country club is through sponsorship by someone who is already a member

Recent Examples on the Web

The parade grew over the years to include entrees from local businesses, schools, and nonprofit organizations. —Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2025

Schulte teased entrees with duck, lamb and chicken. —Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 23 May 2025

Louie Bossi’s Ristorante in Fort Lauderdale continues its weekend brunch service on Monday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., including $19 bottomless mimosas, bellinis and bloody marys with the purchase of an entree. —Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 22 May 2025

But the hope is that folks aren’t loading up with 15 entrees and handing them out along the rope line like Santa giving out presents. —Jordan Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2025

The winery itself also has an in-house restaurant that is open for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch and offers shareable boards and appetizers, salads, and heartier entrees like a Caprese Pork Chop. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 10 May 2025

Moe's Moe's Southwest Grill will give customers a free queso side with the purchase of any entree on May 5. —Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 May 2025

Throughout the 60 minutes the students have to prepare a starter, entree and dessert, there’s constant chatter. —Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Apr. 2025

Several entrees and sides are made in-house, then frozen: fries, meatloaf, beef stroganoff, roasted veggies and more. —Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 23 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

French entrée, from Old French — more at entry

First Known Use

1692, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

entrée

noun

en·​trée

variants or entree

ˈän-ˌtrā 

1

: the main dish of a meal

2

a

: entrance entry 1 sense 1

b

: freedom of entry

Etymology

from French entrée "act or manner of entering"