1 entrée | Definition of entrée
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

entrée

noun
en·​trée | \ ˈän-ˌtrā also än-ˈtrā How to pronounce entrée (audio) \
variants: or entree

Definition of entrée

1a : the act or manner of entering : entrance
b : freedom of entry or access
2 : the main course of a meal in the U.S.
Synonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about entrée

Keep scrolling for more

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.

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

 These are just a few of the entree and dessert menu item offerings during Troy Restaurant Week. — Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, "Troy restaurant week kicks off Sunday: What you need to know," 14 Aug. 2019 Nothing is really a miss at Bettola, but a couple of the starches weren’t as impressive as the meatier entrees. — Allyson Reedy, The Know, "Restaurant review: Bettola gives Aurora a date night-perfect Italian bistro," 1 Aug. 2019 The chicken entree, a Frenched chicken breast arrayed with fingerlings and arugula, could have been roasted more to crisp the skin up. — Rand Richards Cooper, courant.com, "Review: Brizo in Rocky Hill," 10 July 2019 Popular starters include watermelon bruschetta, while mussels and meatloaf Wellington are standouts among the entrees. — Katherine Rodeghier, Dallas News, "St. Petersburg, Fla., goes from senior rest home to hipster hangout," 18 June 2019 McCormick & Schmick’s It’s not just veterans and active military who get the free entree at this chain. — Chris Morris, Fortune, "Memorial Day 2018 Deals: Best Freebies and Discounts for Veterans," 25 May 2018 The queso dip makes for a great starter, and the pork belly, shrimp and vegetable tacos appear to be the most popular entrees. — Special To The Oregonian, OregonLive.com, "Gerry Frank's picks: Both food and drink draw customers to Xicha Brewing in Salem," 5 May 2018 Vertical Wine Bar Detroit: This wine bar-restaurant in the Paradise Valley area of downtown Detroit serves small plates, entrees and desserts. — Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, "Don't miss these restaurants at the Free Press' Wine + Food Experience," 11 July 2019 It’s more than that, though, with a lineup of cold salads (hello, salmon Nicoise) and hot entrees (Southern shrimp with garlic-cheese grits). — Allen Pierleoni, The Mercury News, "A weekend of beachy fun in Capitola-by-the-Sea," 16 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'entrée.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of entrée

1692, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for entrée

French entrée, from Old French — more at entry

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for entrée

entrée

noun
How to pronounce entrée (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of entrée

: the main dish of a meal especially in a restaurant
: the act or manner of entering something
: the right to enter something

See the full definition for entrée in the English Language Learners Dictionary

More from Merriam-Webster on entrée

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with entrée

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for entrée

Spanish Central: Translation of entrée

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!