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Definition enter in British English

enter verb

verb
/ˈentə(r)/

Enter is usually a transitive verb, and it takes a direct object. It is not used with the prepositions into or in:

✗ After entering into university, students make a lot of new friends.

✓ After entering university, students make a lot of new friends.

✗ In the past it was unthinkable that a woman could enter in politics.

✓ In the past it was unthinkable that a woman could enter politics.

Don’t confuse this use with the phrasal verb enter into, which means ‘to start to take part in a discussion’ or ‘to agree to be part of an agreement or contract’:

Today, eighteen-year olds are considered responsible enough to enter into contracts.

1

to go or come into a place

Example

Soldiers entered the houses, apparently searching for weapons.

Example

The man had entered through the back door.

Example

The bullet missed his kidney because it entered his body at an angle.

Example

They were imprisoned for illegally entering the country.

Synonyms and related words
arrive enter reach
1.1

to start or reach a particular period of time in a process or activity

Example

The war had already entered its third week.

Synonyms and related words
reach come come to
1.2

to begin to affect someone's actions or behaviour

Example

A hint of emotion entered his voice for the first time.

Synonyms and related words
influence motivate condition
2

to start to take part in a particular activity or to work in a particular job

Example

There are dozens of new companies entering the software market.

Example

She had hoped to enter the legal profession.

Synonyms and related words
join in participate involve join arrive enter
2.1

if you enter a race or competition, or if someone enters you, you put your name on the list of those taking part

Example

She's entered several poetry competitions.

Example

Each owner can enter a horse for a maximum of three races.

Example

The competition is free, and anyone over the age of 18 can enter.

Synonyms and related words
play race meet
3

to write something somewhere, for example in a book, on a form, or on a computer

Example

You enter the customer's name on this line.

Example

Enter your user name and password.

Synonyms and related words
address annotate backdate backspace click click
3.1

to state something officially

Example

A number of complaints have been entered by senior members.

Example

The defendant entered a plea of 'not guilty'.

Synonyms and related words
announce inform declare
Definition enter in British English