Etymology From Middle English entren, from Old French entrer, from Latin intrō (“enter”, verb), from intrā (“inside”). Has been spelled as "enter" for several centuries even in the United Kingdom, although British English and the English of many Commonwealth Countries (e.g. Australia, Canada) retain the "re" ending for many words such as centre, fibre, spectre, theatre, calibre, sombre, lustre, and litre.
To go or come into an enclosed or partially enclosed space.
You should knock before you enter, unless you want to see me naked.
[…]you can fynde in youre heartes to assaulte her with rebellion, or in any wise [ways] suffer any one eyvil motion to enter into your thoughtes against her?1555, John Proctor, The historie of Wyates rebellion, with the order and maner of resisting the same, …, page 86:
3 more examples
Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, John 3:5:
In former days every tavern of repute kept such a room for its own select circle, a club, or society, of habitués, who met every evening, for a pipe and a cheerful glass.[…]Strangers might enter the room, but they were made to feel that they were there on sufferance: they were received with distance and suspicion.1892, Walter Besant, chapter III, in The Ivory Gate […], New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers, […], →OCLC:
We determined that the car driver’s transportation of multiple teen passengers, limited driving experience, and likely impairment from effects of cannabis at the time of the crash adversely affected her judgment of the danger of entering the intersection in front of the approaching combination vehicle.2024, NTSB, Intersection Crash Between Passenger Car and Combination Vehicle, Tishomingo, Oklahoma, March 22, 2022:
2
To cause to go (into), or to be received (into); to put in; to insert; to cause to be admitted.
to enter a knife into a piece of wood
to enter a boy at college, a horse for a race, etc.
3
Figuratively To go or come into (a state or profession).
My twelve-year-old son will be entering his teens next year.
She had planned to enter the legal profession.
1 more example
Until 2008 there was denial over what finance had become. … But the scandals kept coming, and so we entered stage three – what therapists call "bargaining".2013 June 28, Joris Luyendijk, “Our banks are out of control”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 3, page 21:
4
To type (something) into a computer; to input.
Enter your user name and password.
5
To record (something) in an account, ledger, etc.
Each amount entered in the debit column of the journal is posted by entering it on the credit side/column of an account in the ledger.2003, A. Mukherjee, M. Hanif, Financial Accounting, →ISBN, page 27:
› To come on to the stage during a performance.
6
Entertainment, Lifestyle, TheaterOf an actor Used as a stage direction, usually preceding the name of the character who appears.
7
Figuratively, Of an actor Used in the manner of a stage direction: to enter the picture, to become relevant.
I’m usually a shoulder bag kind of girl, just because it fits my vibe more. But when I’m on my feet for hours—running through crowded airports or touring a new city—the last thing I want to think about is my stuff. Enter: A good crossbody.2026 April 8, Megan Uy, “12 Best Crossbody Bags for Travel That’ll Hold All Your Stuff Without Messing Up Your Vacay Outfit”, in Cosmopolitan:
8
Law To become a party to an agreement, treaty, etc.
I am pleased to notify the Congress of my intent to enter into a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Government of Singapore.2003 February 4, The President of the United States, “NOTIFICATION TO ENTER INTO A FREE TRADE AGREEMENT WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF SINGAPORE”, in U.S. Government Printing Office, retrieved 09 Sep 2013:
This Act shall enter into force on 01 March 1998.2005, United Nations, Dispositions Législatives Et Réglementaires Nationales Relatives À la Prévention Et À L'élimination Du Terrorisme International, →ISBN, page 215:
10
Law To go into or upon, as lands, and take actual possession of them.
11
Law To place in regular form before the court, usually in writing; to put upon record in proper from and order.
to enter a writ, appearance, rule, or judgment
12
To make report of (a vessel or its cargo) at the custom house; to submit a statement of (imported goods), with the original invoices, to the proper customs officer for estimating the duties. See entry.
13
US, Dated, Historical To file, or register with the land office, the required particulars concerning (a quantity of public land) in order to entitle a person to a right of preemption.
Under existing laws governing the qualifications of an alien to enter 160 acres or more of the public domain he is only required to file his declaration of intent to become a citizen.1887, United States General Land Office, Annual Report of the Commissioner of General Land Office, US Government Printing Office, page 82:
14
To deposit for copyright the title or description of (a book, picture, map, etc.).
This sword but shown to Caesar, with this tidings, / Shall enter me with him.c. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals):
16
Formal To begin (a regular activity or job); to undertake; to take up.
[…] I entered, that same day, on a regular occupation of pushing Miss Havisham in this chair […] round her own room, and across the landing, and round the other room.1860 December – 1861 August, Charles Dickens, chapter XII, in Great Expectations […], volume I, London: Chapman and Hall, […], published October 1861, →OCLC, page 199:
Etymology From Middle English entren, from Old French entrer, from Latin intrō (“enter”, verb), from intrā (“inside”). Has been spelled as "enter" for several centuries even in the United Kingdom, although British English and the English of many Commonwealth Countries (e.g. Australia, Canada) retain the "re" ending for many words such as centre, fibre, spectre, theatre, calibre, sombre, lustre, and litre.
1
The action of entering; an instance of entering.
2
Computing, Engineering, Mathematics, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, SciencesAlternative Alternative spelling of Enter (“the computer key”).
3
Computing, Engineering, Mathematics, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, SciencesAlternative Alternative spelling of Enter (“a stroke of the computer key”).