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
• 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

From Tuesday, July 22, the Daily Double will be available a new entree option on the popular McValue Meal Deal bundle, which includes an entree plus a 4-piece Chicken McNuggets, small fries and a small soft drink. —Chloe Mayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 July 2025

The destination’s Island Eats program allows each guest to get one free meal at fast casual venues – many come with a side and cookie – or a 25% discount on an entree at a full-service restaurant. —Nathan Diller, USA Today, 21 July 2025

Prices for starters range from $16 to $38, while entrees cost $24 to $58. —Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado july 20, Sacbee.com, 20 July 2025

There's also a vegetarian menu, entrees of seafood, steak or chicken, fajitas, enchiladas, and house specials, and brunch items. —Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025

The fan-favorite entree was first released in 2017 and later removed from menus. —Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 15 July 2025

Members can earn points each visit and redeem them for specific items like pita chips or full entrees. —Krysta Escobar, CNBC, 5 July 2025

Secco Restaurant & Bar: The three-course, $62 prix fixe menu features two entree choices, Seared Salmon or New York Steak & Scampi. —Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 4 July 2025

The entree into this is that this involves public lands of national importance. —Peter Balonon-Rosen, Vox, 4 July 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"