entrée

or en·tree

[ ahn-trey ]

noun

1. a dish served as the main course of a meal.
2. Older Use. a dish served at dinner between the principal courses.
3. the privilege of entering; access.

   Synonyms: entry, admission

4. a means of obtaining entry:

   His friendship with an actor's son was his entrée into the theatrical world.

   Synonyms: entry, admission

5. the act of entering; entrance.

entrée

/ ˈɒntreɪ /

noun

1. a dish served before a main course
2. the main course of a meal
3. the power or right of entry

Word History and Origins

Origin of entrée¹

1775–85; < French, noun use of feminine past participle of entrer to enter; entry

Word History and Origins

Origin of entrée¹

C18: from French, from entrer to enter ; in cookery, so called because formerly the course was served after an intermediate course called the relevé (remove)

Example Sentences

Dating in the swipe-left era is hard for anyone who isn’t a bot, but for singles who grew up in the pre-internet era, when “going steady” was still a thing and an app was what you ate before the entree, the challenges are compounded.

From Los Angeles Times

The Recording Academy's best new artist category is a competitive entree this year with women in pop like Carpenter, Roan and British artist Raye finally earning their flowers.

From Salon

“Not the best deal and not the best Costco entree, but in a pinch I'd probably buy it again. That being said, between this or Food Court pizza, pizza is hands down the better choice.”

From Salon

When you're out, this might look like choosing a vegetable-based entree, a stir-fry or ordering a side salad to have with your meal.

From Salon

Hardly a staple of the Southern California sports scene, it gives the IOC an entree into the South Asian market.

From Los Angeles Times