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 of entrée

• access
• entry
• admission
• accession
• entrance

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

Certain menu items, though, feel like fan favorites made to wear cumbersome disguises, while entrees outside of the burger don’t always feel as essential as the smaller plates. —Cesar Hernandez, San Francisco Chronicle, 27 Mar. 2026

This is likely why Evie Blohm, 4, of Vernon Hills, is perpetually excited about the macaroni and cheese, her favorite entree here, said her mother Christine Blohm. —Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026

The hardest part is deciding on an entree — everything here, from the rice or wheat dumplings to the lemony chicken tawa to the kabobs, is fabulous. —Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 26 Mar. 2026

Before opening their sit-down restaurant in Overland Park, the pair operated a ghost kitchen restaurant offering to-go only entrees off Interstate 35 and Lamar Avenue. —Jenna Thompson march 25, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2026

All the entrees are about $20, except for lamb chops, which are $28. —Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026

The tray, an entree and two sides for under $10, remains one of the better deals around, especially when paired with a milkshake. —Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026

All entrees include soup or salad, choice of potato, and dessert. —Elaine Rewolinski, jsonline.com, 23 Mar. 2026

Along with beef and chicken shawarma sandwiches on its menu, offerings include many halal dishes, main entrees, salads and soups. —Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 21 Mar. 2026

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"