enter

EN-tur/ˈɛntɚ/EN-tuh/ˈɛntə(ɹ)/

17 meanings of enter

1
go inverbintransitive
To go or come into a place, like a room, a building, or a country.
Like stepping inside a tent through its open flap.
Please enter through the front door.
The cat entered quietly and curled up by the fire.
Oppositeexit, leave
Note
2
embark onverbformalintransitive
To join a group or a school, start a new job or activity, or begin a new stage of life.
Like starting your first day at a new job.
The new manager entered upon her duties on Monday.
Next year my son will enter his teens.
UsageSay she entered the army. For starting a job's work, say enter on it.
Similarjoin, start (entry), begin
Note
3
fill in (computer)verbtransitive
To type or write information into a computer, form, or record.
Like writing your answer on a sheet, but on a screen instead.
Enter your password to log in.
She entered her name into the form.
UsageSay enter your name in the box.
Similarinput, type, key, record, log
4
competeverbtransitive or intransitive
To take part in a contest, race, test, show or prize drawing, or sign up yourself, someone or something for one.
The spelling bee is open to every student, so I want to enter this year.
Grandma entered her apple pie in the county fair and won a ribbon.
UsageYou enter a race, or enter your dog in a show.
Similarcompete, submit
Oppositewithdraw
5
join agreementverbintransitive
To officially join a deal or agreement with others.
Like shaking hands on a promise that both people must keep.
The two countries entered into a peace agreement.
Both sides agreed to enter into the contract.
UsageSay two sides enter into an agreement.
6
keyboard keynoununcountable
The Enter key, which you press on a computer to confirm something or start a new line, or a press of it.
Press enter to save your work.
He hit enter and the screen changed.
UsageSay press enter or hit enter.
Similarreturn
7
court recordverbtransitive
To put something officially on the court's record, in writing.
Like signing a form so it becomes official.
The lawyer entered a plea of not guilty.
The judge asked the clerk to enter the letter into the court record.
Similarfile, submit, lodge, register
Oppositewithdraw
Note

Less common meanings

8
verbdatedtransitive
To put or push something into a place or container.
Similarinsert, introduce
Oppositeremove, withdraw, extract
Note
9
come to mindverbtransitive
To come into a person's mind, said of a thought or idea.
It never entered my head that the store might be closed.
Did it even enter your mind to call me?
UsageOften it never entered my head: I never thought of it.
Similarcross
10
verbintransitive
To start working or become official, like a new rule.
Like a light switching on at the moment the rule begins.
The new rules enter into force next month.
The smoking ban entered into force on Monday.
UsageSaid as enter into force: a law starts to apply.
11
claim landverbdatedhistoricalUStransitive
To file a claim for public land at the land office so you can buy it first.
Like putting your name down first on a list to claim a spot.
The settler entered eighty acres at the land office.
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 OfficeHere, enter means file a claim for land with the land office.
Similarclaim
Note
12
verbobsoletetransitive
To bring someone into a group by giving them a good first start.
This sword but shown to Caesar, with this tidings, / Shall enter me with him.
c. 1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”Here, enter means introduce me favorably, gaining me a welcome with Caesar.
Note
13
come on stageverbintransitivetheater
To come onto the stage, as in 'Enter the king.' Also said for fun when someone or something new appears.
The actors wait behind the curtain until it is time to enter.
The party was quiet until midnight. Enter Grandpa, wearing a funny hat.
UsageScripts say Enter Hamlet. People copy it for fun: enter my brother.
Similarappear
Oppositeexit
14
be a factorverbintransitive
Of a reason or fact, to play a part in something such as a decision. Used with 'into'.
Money did not enter into her choice of college.
The weather always enters into our plans for the weekend.
UsageSay money entered into the decision.
Similarfactor, figure
15
verb
To report a ship or its goods to customs officers when arriving.
16
verbdated
To officially record a book or picture's title to protect its copyright.
17
verb
To go onto a piece of land and actually take control of it.

Practice

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Origin

This word comes from Latin "intrō" meaning "enter," from "intrā" meaning "inside." It reached English through Old French "entrer."

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts

Enter ultimately comes from Latin intrō, meaning enter. en.wiktionary.org
Latin intrō derives from intrā, meaning inside. en.wiktionary.org
The word reached English through Old French entrer. en.wiktionary.org