ingress

noun

in·​gress ˈin-ˌgres How to pronounce ingress (audio)
1
: the act of entering : entrance
the seal prevents ingress of moisture
2
: the power or liberty of entrance or access
an area with restricted ingress
ingression noun

Examples of ingress in a Sentence

Ingress to and egress from the freeway were made difficult by the construction. with limited ingress and egress to the freeway, the stadium is the frequent scene of bottlenecks
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For homeowners with existing vinyl or laminate, there’s likely no need for immediate replacement if there are no signs of water ingress. Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Sep. 2025 The fall equinox marks the sun’s ingress (your celestial ruler) into Libra, which means, on top of feeling energized, opportunities for charming and harmonious exchanges are more likely at this time. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2025 While its streamlined but wide appearance is unique, the designers’ skills didn’t include proper ingress and egress consideration. James Raia, Mercury News, 21 Sep. 2025 Venus’ ingress in Leo on Aug. 25 will ignite your ninth house of expansion, drawing you towards new experiences and unknown territory. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ingress

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin ingressus, from ingredi

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ingress was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ingress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ingress. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

ingress

noun
in·​gress ˈin-ˌgres How to pronounce ingress (audio)
1
: the act of entering
2
: the power or liberty of entering

Legal Definition

ingress

noun
in·​gress ˈin-ˌgres How to pronounce ingress (audio)
1
: the act of entering
2
: the power or liberty of access compare egress

More from Merriam-Webster on ingress

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!