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.
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 WebHollander Wauwatosa Offer: Free dessert with purchase of any two entrees (dine in only).—Journal Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2024 What Does Your Sauce Say? Still, pairing a wine’s aromas with the flavors of your entree can feel a tad intimidating.—Kelsey Mulvey, Sunset Magazine, 6 Mar. 2024 Yet the charismatic language of faith that Truth spoke gained her entree to talk to white Americans with religious social justice bents.—Cynthia Greenlee, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Feb. 2024 Brawley is the prohibitive favorite with 11 of their 14 entrees seeded in the top four.—San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Feb. 2024 Those who insist upon a side item to go with their entrees?—Emily Heil, Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2024 The restaurants also serves bowls, salads and assorted entrees.—Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 29 Feb. 2024 Seafood entrees are on the menu, along with oysters, salads and sharables.—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 28 Feb. 2024 The menu will also include wings, sandwiches, wraps and fish and rib entrees.—Jessica Rodriguez, Journal Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'entrée.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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