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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
Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 23 May 2025
In addition, this location will give free entrees for a year to 100 local heroes making a difference in the Morgan Hill area.
—Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 23 May 2025
Most entrees at the Vibrato Grill cost more than $55, and the charge for the nightly music is $20-$75 per person.
—Gary Stoller, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
The lunch specials are just that — special — and entrees come with miso soup and a salad.
—Janet Kusterer, Baltimore Sun, 21 May 2025
At the end of most nights, the restaurant allowed Gordon to take slices and some other entrees home free of charge.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 19 May 2025
Start with the pimento cheese plate, then follow it up with any of his excellent entrees (like the Lamb Burger Helper).
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 16 May 2025
Interestingly, the company saw some more guests trade up from a chicken or seafood entree into steak.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 8 May 2025
Food prices range from $9.30 for a bowl with one side and one entree to a five-person family meal with two large sides and three large entrees that begins at $35.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Entrée.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entr%C3%A9e. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
entrée
nounfrom French entrée "act or manner of entering"
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