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

That’s in addition to entrees like mushroom risotto, breaded veal Milanese and a 16-ounce prime N.Y. strip; and seven lunch-only heroes including meatball and eggplant parmigiana and the Frank Sinatra (prosciutto di parma, mozzarella, olive oil and black pepper). —Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 17 May 2025

The company also called out improvement in mix (items sold) trends, specifically in the entree and appetizer categories. —Jeff Marks, CNBC, 8 May 2025

For Italian fare, Ferrucci Ristorante has an extensive pasta menu, as well as entrees like Snapper Piccata. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 5 May 2025

Facing this splendid garden setting is a cafe with a popular smorgasbord that, of course, includes not just entree items but also coffee and cake. —Jeanine Barone, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

Each free item requires purchase of an entree item of equal or greater value and can only be ordered and collected by the jersey-wearing customer. —Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025

Customers can choose from 12 entrees, including orange chicken, broccoli beef and honey walnut shrimp. —Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2025

With recent news that one ALDI entree has earned top marks from consumers, however, dinner is more convenient and affordable than ever before. —Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2025

Take-home entrees include Fettuccine Alfredo, Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, or Five Cheese Ziti al Forno. —Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 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"