entry

entry — noun

1. the moment or process of going into a place, or of joining a club, society, or o

1.nounB1
Definition

the moment or process of going into a place, or of joining a club, society, or other group

Example

The fire department had to break down the door to gain entry.

gain entry — force a way into a building

Eli celebrated his entry into the medical school with his family.

entry into [organization] — joining a group

Common collocations
  • gain entry
  • force entry
  • entry into
  • entry to
  • make an entry
Synonyms
  • entrance

    more common for the physical act of walking in; entry suggests a moment or event

  • admission

    focuses on permission being granted, especially to an institution

  • ingress

    very formal; used in technical or legal contexts

Antonyms
  • exit

    the act of leaving a place or departing from a group

Grammar Patterns

entry into [place/organization]

entry to [place]

gain/force entry

Usage Note

Often followed by into when referring to joining an organization or profession, and to when referring to physical places.

Common Mistakes

I made an entry into the room.
I entered the room.' or 'I made my entry into the room.
'Make an entry' is an unusual, theatrical way to describe entering a room; use 'enter' for ordinary situations.

2. a physical opening, such as a door or gate, that allows someone to go into a roo

2.nounB1
Definition

a physical opening, such as a door or gate, that allows someone to go into a room, building, or area

Example

Visitors should use the side entry near the parking lot.

side entry — specifying which entrance

The castle's main entry was flanked by two stone towers.

Common collocations
  • main entry
  • side entry
  • front entry
  • back entry
  • staff entry
Synonyms
  • entrance

    the most common word for a door or passage into a place; entry sounds slightly more formal or descriptive

  • doorway

    refers specifically to the opening framed by a door, not the whole passage

  • gate

    a barrier at an outdoor opening, usually made of metal or wood

Antonyms
  • exit

    a door or passage used to leave a place

Grammar Patterns

[adjective] entry

main/side/front/back entry

Usage Note

Used with adjectives that describe position (main, side, front, back, rear) or purpose (staff, service, trade).

3. a single piece of written or stored information within a collection such as a di

3.nounB1
Definition

a single piece of written or stored information within a collection such as a dictionary, diary, database, or account book

Example

Ziad made an entry in his journal every night before bed.

make an entry in [journal/diary] — write a record

The dictionary entry for 'consider' has six different meanings.

Common collocations
  • dictionary entry
  • journal entry
  • blog entry
  • data entry
  • make an entry
Synonyms
  • item

    a broader term for a single thing in a collection; less specific than entry

  • record

    emphasises the formal or official nature of the stored information

  • notation

    a brief written note; more specialised and less common

Grammar Patterns

entry in [book/dictionary/database/log]

[adjective] entry

Usage Note

Frequently followed by in to specify where the record belongs (entry in a diary, entry in a database). Can also use for to describe the subject (entry for a word in a dictionary).

4. a piece of writing, art, or other material submitted to a contest, or the proces

4.nounB2
Definition

a piece of writing, art, or other material submitted to a contest, or the process of signing up so that you can compete

Example

Zola submitted her painting as her entry in the art contest.

entry in [competition] — submitted work

The winning entry in the science fair was a solar-powered charger.

Common collocations
  • entry fee
  • entry form
  • competition entry
  • contest entry
  • submit an entry
Synonyms
  • submission

    more formal; used especially in academic or professional contexts

  • application

    used when the goal is to be selected or admitted rather than to win

Grammar Patterns

entry for/in [competition]

[noun] entry

entry fee

Usage Note

As a countable noun, it refers to the work submitted (e.g. 'three entries were disqualified'). As an uncountable noun, it refers to the act of entering (e.g. 'entry is free before 5 PM'). The preposition into is often used for the competition itself, while in or for refers to the specific category.

Common Mistakes

I sent my entry for the competition.
I submitted my entry for the competition.
'Submit' is the natural collocation for sending in competition entries.

5. the official permission or opportunity to go into a place, join an organization,

5.nounB2
Definition

the official permission or opportunity to go into a place, join an organization, or participate in an event or activity

Example

Mert was granted entry to the private concert after showing his invitation.

granted entry — given permission to enter

Entry to the club is restricted to members only.

Common collocations
  • grant entry
  • gain entry
  • deny entry
  • entry to
  • entry into
Synonyms
  • access

    broader meaning that includes the ability to use or reach something, not just enter

  • admittance

    more formal; often used in official notices and signs

  • admission

    focuses on being allowed in, often with a ticket or fee

Antonyms
  • exclusion

    the state of being kept out or prevented from joining

Grammar Patterns

entry to [place/event]

entry into [organization]

gain/grant entry

deny entry

Usage Note

Typically uncountable — you do not say 'an entry' in this sense. Common verbs are grant, gain, earn, deny, refuse. Frequently followed by to (for places) or into (for organizations or events).

Common Mistakes

I have an entry to the museum.
I have entry to the museum.
This sense is uncountable; do not use 'a' or 'an'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Entry, entrance, admission, and access all relate to going into a place or joining a group, but they differ in focus. Entry emphasises the moment or process of going in — it can be a formal event ('entry into an agreement') or a physical act ('forced entry'). Entrance is the most common word for the physical act of walking into a building or room ('his entrance drew everyone's attention'). Admission focuses on permission or acceptance into an institution, especially after an application process ('admission to the university'). Access is broader: it includes the ability to reach, use, or enter something ('access to the internet'). For physical entry into a building, use entrance in everyday conversation and entry in more formal or official contexts. For joining a club or school, admission is the typical choice.

entry ↗entrance ↗admission ↗access

Common collocations

Nouns

  • entry fee
  • entry form
  • entry visa
  • entry permit
  • entry requirements
  • entry point
  • entry level

Adverbs

Phrases

  • gain entry
  • force entry
  • deny entry
  • grant entry
  • make an entry

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Entry comes from the Old French word 'entree', meaning 'act of entering', which itself comes from the Latin verb 'intrare' (to go into), derived from 'intra' (within). The word first appeared in English around the 13th century. Its earliest meanings were about the physical act of going into a place. Over time, it expanded to include records in books (14th century), competition submissions (19th century), and abstract rights of access.