First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
enter
verb en·ter \ˈen-tər\
: to go or come into (something)
: to begin to be in (an organization, school, etc.)
: to cause (someone) to be in an organization, school, etc.
en·tereden·ter·ing \ˈen-t(ə-)riŋ\
Full Definition of ENTER
intransitive verb
1
: to go or come in
2
: to come or gain admission into a group : join —often used with into
3
a : to make a beginning <entering upon a career> b : to begin to consider a subject —usually used with into or upon
4
: to go upon land for the purpose of taking possession
5
a : to come onstage —usually used in the subjunctive as a stage direction <enter Hamlet reading> b : to come into a preestablished situation or context like an actor coming onstage —usually used in the subjunctive <enter the new principal with her radical ideas>
6
: to play a part : be a factor <other considerations enter when money is involved>
transitive verb
1
: to come or go into <enter a room>
3
: to cause to be received or admitted <enter a child at a school>
4
: to put in : insert <enter the new data into the computer>
5
a : to make a beginning in <enter politics> b : to go into (a particular period of time) <enter middle age>
6
: to become a member of or an active participant in <enter the university> <enter a race>
7
: to make report of (a ship or its cargo) to customs authorities
8
: to place in proper form before a court of law or upon record <enter a writ>
9
: to go into or upon and take actual possession of (as land)
10
: to put formally on record <entering a complaint>
— en·ter·able \ˈen-t(ə-)rə-bəl\ adjective
— enter into
1
: to make oneself a party to or in <enter into an agreement>
2
: to form or be part of <your prejudices shouldn't enter into it>
3
: to participate or share in <enter into the spirit of the occasion>
— enter the lists
: to engage in a fight or struggle
See enter defined for English-language learners
See enter defined for kids
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Origin of ENTER
Middle English entren, from Anglo-French entrer, from Latin intrare, from intra within; akin to Latin inter between — more at inter-
Related to ENTER
Synonym Discussion of ENTER
enter, penetrate, pierce, probe mean to make way into something. enter is the most general of these and may imply either going in or forcing a way in <entered the city in triumph>. penetrate carries a strong implication of an impelling force or compelling power that achieves entrance <the enemy penetrated the fortress>. pierce means an entering or cutting through with a sharp pointed instrument <pierced the boil with a lancet>. probe implies penetration to investigate or explore something hidden from sight or knowledge <probed the depths of the sea>.
ENTER- Defined for Kids
enter
verb en·ter \ˈen-tər\
en·tereden·ter·ing
Definition of ENTER for Kids
1
: to come or go in or into <enter a room> <enter middle age>
2
: to stab into : pierce <The thorn entered my thumb.>
3
: to put into a list or book : write down <The teacher entered my name on the roster.>
4
: to put in or into <Enter the data into the computer.>
5
: to become a member of <I entered a fitness club.>
6
: to become a participant in or take an interest in <enter a race> <enter politics>
7
: enroll in : begin attending <enter kindergarten>
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