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enter

v. · n.
US //ˈɛnɝ// UK //ˈɛntɐ// en·ter
  1. 1 to go inside (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to go or come into a room, building, or area.

    to go or come into an enclosed or partially enclosed space.

    Example

    Please knock on the door before you enter the office.

    Example

    The suspect was seen to enter the building through a side door just minutes before the alarm was triggered.
    Pitfall
    He entered into the room.
    He entered the room.

    When talking about physical movement into a place, do not use 'into' after 'enter'.

  2. 2 to type information (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Computing

    to type information into a computer or write it in a book.

    to record or input data into a computer system, ledger, or official record.

    Example

    You need to enter your password to see your messages.

    Example

    The clerk had to enter the transaction details manually because the barcode scanner was malfunctioning.
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  1. 3 to join or start (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to start being part of a group, a profession, or a new stage of life.

    to become a member of a profession or organization, or to begin a specific period or state.

    Example

    She decided to enter the medical profession after university.

    Example

    As the country enters a period of economic recovery, consumer confidence is expected to rise significantly.
  2. 4 to join a competition (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Sport

    to put your name forward to take part in a race or competition.

    to submit one's name or work for participation in a competition or examination.

    Example

    More than five hundred runners have entered the marathon this year.

    Example

    The artist decided to enter her latest sculpture into the national gallery's summer exhibition.
  3. 5 to start a formal agreement (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal Law

    to officially start a formal agreement or conversation with someone.

    to formally begin a process or become a party to an agreement. Usually used with 'into'.

    Example

    The two companies decided to enter into a partnership.

    Example

    The government refused to enter into negotiations until all protesters had cleared the square.

    Usage

    Usually takes the preposition 'into' in this sense.
  4. 6 computer key (n.)
    A2 Elementary Computing

    the key on a computer keyboard that you press to start a new line or finish a command.

    the specific key on a computer keyboard used to execute a command or move the cursor to the next line.

    Example

    Type your name and then press enter.

    Example

    After configuring the network settings, the administrator hit enter to apply the changes to the server.
    • return key
Origin

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.

Word family
Idioms1 entry

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