# enter

/ˈɛnɝ/ (US) · /ˈɛntɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/enter
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to go inside

verb · CEFR A2

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

For teachers: to go or come into an enclosed or partially enclosed space.

- Please knock on the door before you enter the office.
- The suspect was seen to enter the building through a side door just minutes before the alarm was triggered.

### 2. to type information

verb · CEFR B1

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

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

- You need to enter your password to see your messages.
- The clerk had to enter the transaction details manually because the barcode scanner was malfunctioning.

### 3. to join or start

verb · CEFR B1

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

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

- She decided to enter the medical profession after university.
- As the country enters a period of economic recovery, consumer confidence is expected to rise significantly.

### 4. to join a competition

verb · CEFR B1

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

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

- More than five hundred runners have entered the marathon this year.
- The artist decided to enter her latest sculpture into the national gallery's summer exhibition.

### 5. to start a formal agreement

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

to officially start a formal agreement or conversation with someone.

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

- The two companies decided to enter into a partnership.
- The government refused to enter into negotiations until all protesters had cleared the square.

Usage: Usually takes the preposition 'into' in this sense.

### 6. computer key

noun · CEFR A2

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

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

- Type your name and then press enter.
- After configuring the network settings, the administrator hit enter to apply the changes to the server.

## Examples

- Please enter your password to log in.
- The witness was asked to enter the courtroom and take a seat before the trial began.
- After the data analysts enter the raw figures into the database, the software automatically generates a report that highlights any significant trends or anomalies.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.