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

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, 6 Apr. 2026

Its menu is vast, with and includes appetizers, entrees, burgers, sandwiches, and salads. —Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 2 Apr. 2026

Diners can enjoy homemade pasta like beef cheek fusilli or hearty entrees like the brick chicken scarpariello. —Erin Hassanzadeh, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026

Qdoba Coinciding with the next full moon on April 1, Qdoba is offering its Signature 3-Cheese Queso or Queso Diablo Chips for free with a purchase of an entree to rewards members, according to a news release. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026

The 1931 The 1931, formerly the Orchids at Palm Court, will host an Easter brunch featuring artisanal cheeses and charcuterie, seasonal salads, carving and seafood stations, breakfast entrees, an assortment of desserts and more. —Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2026

The menu also includes a bison rib-eye, a prime porterhouse and entrees such as lobster, sea bass, lamb chops and chicken Parmesan. —Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026

Anyone wearing cow attire — inside the restaurant or at the sure-to-be-buzzin’ drive-thru — will receive a free select entree or kid’s meal. —Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 31 Mar. 2026

After that, 3,600 buy-one-get-one entrees are awarded. —Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 30 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"