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

Chicken Fried Chicken and Steak As expected, our readers have a special place in their hearts for crispy, crunchy, golden-friend entrees. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 12 Aug. 2026

Customers can expect dishes such as ahi poke nachos, American Wagyu short rib steamed buns, fresh nigiri and sushi rolls, along with premium steaks, seafood entrees and handcrafted cocktails. — Evan Moore august 5, Charlotte Observer, 5 Aug. 2026

In Salzburg, sharing becomes essence, not the kind of narcissism that appears to be adopted by our upcoming LA28 cultural Olympiad, in which Angelenos are invited to submit entrees that show off our goods rather than a cultural exchange. — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2026

On the larger side, there is a branzino entree with cauliflower puree and rainbow carrots, lamb chops with pistachio chimichurri and marinated beef tenderloin with eggplant and sun-dried tomato. — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 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"