v.
Pronunciation: ' en-t ə r
Function: verb
Inflected Form: en · tered ; en · ter · ing \ ' en-t( ə -)ri ŋ \
Etymology: Middle English entren, from Anglo-French entrer, from Latin intrare, from intra within; akin to Latin inter between ― more at INTER-
Date: 13th century
intransitive verb
1 : to go or come in
2 : to come or gain admission into a group : JOIN ― often used with into
3 a : to make a beginning < enter ing upon a career> b : to begin to consider a subject ― usually used with into or upon
4 : to go upon land for the purpose of taking possession
5 a : to come onstage ― usually used in the subjunctive as a stage direction < enter Hamlet reading> b : to come into a preestablished situation or context like an actor coming onstage ― usually used in the subjunctive < enter the new principal with her radical ideas>
6 : to play a part : be a factor <other considerations enter when money is involved>
transitive verb
1 : to come or go into < enter a room>
2 : INSCRIBE , REGISTER < enter the names of qualified voters>
3 : to cause to be received or admitted < enter a child at a school>
4 : to put in : INSERT < enter the new data into the computer>
5 a : to make a beginning in < enter politics> b : to go into (a particular period of time) < enter middle age>
6 : to become a member of or an active participant in < enter the university> < enter a race>
7 : to make report of (a ship or its cargo) to customs authorities
8 : to place in proper form before a court of law or upon record < enter a writ>
9 : to go into or upon and take actual possession of (as land)
10 : to put formally on record < enter ing a complaint>
– en · ter · able \ ' en-t( ə -)r ə -b ə l \ adjective
– enter into
1 : to make oneself a party to or in < enter into an agreement>
2 : to form or be part of <your prejudices shouldn't enter into it>
3 : to participate or share in < enter into the spirit of the occasion>
– enter the lists : to engage in a fight or struggle
synonyms ENTER , PENETRATE , PIERCE , PROBE mean to make way into something. ENTER is the most general of these and may imply either going in or forcing a way in < entered the city in triumph>. PENETRATE carries a strong implication of an impelling force or compelling power that achieves entrance <the enemy penetrated the fortress>. PIERCE means an entering or cutting through with a sharp pointed instrument < pierced the boil with a lancet>. PROBE implies penetration to investigate or explore something hidden from sight or knowledge < probed the depths of the sea>.