# entrance

Pronunciation: say "EN-truhns" /ˈɛn.tɹəns/

## Noun

1. The place where you go into a building or enclosed area, such as a gate or doorway.
   - Simple: The door, gate, or opening you use to go into a place.
   - _Guests gathered at the hotel entrance before the tour began._
   - _A grand stone entrance marked the edge of the estate._
2. The act of going in or coming into a place.
   - Simple: The act of going into a place.
   - _The senator's entrance into the hall drew a hush from the crowd._
   - _Cameras captured the team's entrance onto the field._
3. The right or permission to go into a place or event.
   - Simple: Permission or the right to go into a place.
   - _Membership grants entrance to the private gardens year-round._
   - _Without a pass, visitors are denied entrance to the laboratory._
5. The beginning of something, or the act of entering upon a new stage or undertaking.
   - Simple: The start of something, or the act of beginning it.
   - _His entrance into the family business marked a new chapter._
   - _The treaty's entrance into force changed trade across the region._
6. The act of taking possession of property or assuming the duties of an office.
   - Simple: The act of taking control of property, or of starting a job or position.
   - _Her entrance into the governorship followed a narrow election._
   - _The will specified the date of his entrance upon the inheritance._
7. The point at which a musician or singer begins playing or singing within a piece.
   - Simple: The moment when a musician or singer starts to play or sing.
   - _The conductor cued the cellos for their entrance._
   - _Her entrance came a beat too early, throwing off the ensemble._
9. The act of having a ship or its goods recorded on an official register at a customhouse.
   - Simple: The act of officially recording a ship or goods at a customs office.
   - _The merchant paid duties at the entrance of his goods._
   - _Customs officers logged the entrance of every incoming vessel._
10. The angle that a vessel's bow forms with the water at the waterline.
   - Simple: The angle the front of a ship makes with the water at the waterline.
   - _A fine entrance reduces resistance as the hull moves forward._
   - _Shipwrights adjusted the entrance to improve the boat's speed._
11. The forward, wedge-shaped section of a ship's hull below the waterline; the underwater bow.
   - Simple: The wedge-shaped front part of a ship below the waterline.
   - _Designers shaped the entrance to part the water cleanly._
   - _The vessel's entrance was reinforced against ice._

## Verb

Pronunciation: US say "en-TRANS" /ɛnˈtɹæns/; UK say "en-TRAHNS" /ɛnˈtɹɑːns/

4. To delight someone and fill them with wonder.
   - Simple: To fill someone with great delight and wonder.
   - _Skilled storytellers entrance their listeners with vivid detail._
   - _The orchestra's performance entranced the entire hall._
8. To put someone into a trance, a state of suspended awareness.
   - Simple: To put someone into a trance, a sleep-like state where they seem unaware of what is around them.
   - _Rhythmic drumming can entrance the dancers for hours._
   - _The shaman entranced the gathering with steady chanting._

## Origin

**Meanings 1–3, 5–7, 9–11** — From Middle French entrance ('entry'), which replaced the native Middle English ingang ('entrance, admission'), from Old English ingang ('ingress, entry, entrance').
**Meanings 4, 8** — Formed from the prefix en- combined with trance ('daze').

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/entrance (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).