- 1 [intransitive, transitive] (not usually used in the passive) (formal) to come or go into something Knock before you enter. Enter Hamlet (= for example as stage directions in the text of a play). enter something Someone entered the room behind me. Where did the bullet enter the body? (figurative) A note of defiance entered her voice. (figurative) It never entered my head (= I never thought) that she would tell him about me. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adverbillegally, cautiously, quickly, … verb + enterallow somebody/something to, permit somebody/something to, forbid somebody to, … prepositionby, through, from, … phrasesenter and exit, enter and leave See full entry join institution/start work
- 2 [transitive, no passive] enter something (formal) to become a member of an institution; to start working in an organization or a profession to enter a school/college/university to enter politics to enter Parliament (= become an MP) to enter the Church (= become a priest) begin activity
- 3[transitive] enter something to begin or become involved in an activity, a situation, etc. to enter a relationship/conflict/war Several new firms have now entered the market. The investigation has entered a new phase. The strike is entering its fourth week. exam/competition
- 4 [transitive, intransitive] to put your name on the list for an exam, a race, a competition, etc.; to do this for somebody enter something 1 000 children entered the competition. enter somebody/something in something Irish trainers have entered several horses in the race. enter somebody/something for something How many students have been entered for the exam? enter (for something) Only four British players have entered for the championship. See related entries: Athletics write information
- 5[transitive] to put names, numbers, details, etc. in a list, book or computer enter something (in something) Enter your name and occupation in the boxes (= on a form). enter something (into something) to enter data into a computer enter something (on something) to enter figures on a spreadsheet Wordfindercommandcommand, connect, desktop, drag, enter, insert, refresh, scroll, select, toggle Oxford Collocations Dictionary adverbmanually, automatically prepositionin, into, on, … See full entry say officially
- 6[transitive] enter something (formal) to say something officially so that it can be recorded to enter a plea of not guilty (= at the beginning of a court case) to enter an offer see also entrance1, entry Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French entrer, from Latin intrare, from intra ‘within’.Extra examples Employees of Telegraph Newspapers Ltd are not eligible to enter the competition. Enter the data onto the computer. He did not wish to enter the Church like his brothers. He stood back to allow us to enter. Over a thousand people entered the competition. Please enter all your personal details on the form provided. Staying married is a choice that is freely entered into. The dancers entered from the side of the stage. They pass each other as they enter and exit the building. We entered through a large iron gate. You may need to enter this information manually. Your details have been entered in our database. people who enter the country illegally Enter Hamlet and three of the players. Enter your name and age in the boxes. He entered the details of the case into a file. He was refused permission to enter the country. Her solicitor entered a plea of not guilty on her behalf. I entered politics late in life. I knocked and a bored voice said, ‘Enter’. It never entered my head that she would tell him about me. It was his aim to enter the Church. No one was allowed to enter the room while the police were there. Please knock before you enter. She entered Parliament in 1998. She entered college in 2006. The burglars must have entered through a window. The jury entered a verdict of acquittal. The notebook window is where you can enter and display data. When did the US enter the conflict?Idioms
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BrE BrE//ˈentə(r)//; NAmE NAmE//ˈentər//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they enter BrE BrE//ˈentə(r)//; NAmE NAmE//ˈentər//
he / she / it enters BrE BrE//ˈentəz//; NAmE NAmE//ˈentərz//
past simple entered BrE BrE//ˈentəd//; NAmE NAmE//ˈentərd//
past participle entered BrE BrE//ˈentəd//; NAmE NAmE//ˈentərd//
-ing form entering BrE BrE//ˈentərɪŋ//; NAmE NAmE//ˈentərɪŋ//
Athletics (of a law, rule, etc.) to start being used When do the new regulations come into force?
enter somebody’s/your name (for something), put somebody’s/your name down (for something) jump to other results
Check pronunciation: enter
