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

Subway has launched a new value menu with more than 15 entrees under $5, offering more protein-forward meals at a time when cost-conscious customers are craving ways to get the most bang for their buck. —Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026

Kristen Wile of Unpretentious Palate kindly offered me a bite of her toothsome barbacoa entree, wrapped in a collard leaf and served with mayocoba (a creamy, yellow-green canary bean) and a red and green salsa duo. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026

There’s a slight lag in service when to-go orders start coming in — Anthony needs to be reminded to pick up the phone — and some tables wait a little too long for entrees. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2026

The menu features 15 total entrees – four Deli Faves sandwiches, four Protein Pockets options and seven options on the Sub of the Day menu. —Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026

To turn it into a vegetarian entree, serve it over spinach or other salad greens. —Hannah Agran, Midwest Living, 28 Apr. 2026

Additional entree options include pho, rice plates, vermicelli and sandwiches. —Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 23 Apr. 2026

Sophomore Joseph Boi Thang handles the protein, junior Paola Silverio-Chino prepares the entrees, and junior Vanessa Martinez is in charge of the appetizers. —Kaley Fedko, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026

The brunch buffet is filled with over 25 food items, such as breakfast classics, hot and cold appetizers, lunch entrees and several desserts. —Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 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"