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

Most dishes, like the chicken shawarma ($12 as a wrap, $16 as an entree) is also big enough to split between two people. —Ella Gonzales may 13, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 May 2026

The three of us ate our entrees. —Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 12 May 2026

Sides and sauces can come after entrees; desserts should be at the very end of the page. —Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2026

Then pair your entrees with a glass of Domaine de Murtoli’s biodynamic wine or a bottle from the ample Corsican, Italian, or Sardinian offerings on the list. —Rebekah Peppler, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2026

Chef Banrith Yong, now in his 70s, personally prepares every entree, drawing on his classical French training for a menu of chateaubriand, escargot, and rotating specials like bouillabaisse or beef Wellington. —Taryn Shorr-McKee, Midwest Living, 8 May 2026

Shiki Seafood has a location in Temple City, which features a sprawling buffet of sashimi, sushi rolls, crab legs, shellfish, hot entrees, desserts and a chocolate fountain, among other offerings typical of large-format seafood buffets. —Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 7 May 2026

This is true because the takeout containers can barely hold an entree like the jerk chicken, another Caribbean classic that’s a must-order at Grace’s. —Restaurant Critic, Houston Chronicle, 6 May 2026

For diners hungering for something beyond a taco, entrees on the menu range from Shrimp and Jalapeno Grits ($25) and Carne Asada ($38) to Smoked Chicken Flautas ($19) and a Baja Tuna Poke Bowl ($24). —Michael Deeds updated May 5, Idaho Statesman, 5 May 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"