Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

Definition of enter verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

 Oxford3000

enter

verb
enter pronunciation English ˈentə(r) enter pronunciation American ˈentər
 
 

come/go in

1 [intransitive, transitive] (not usually used in the passive) (formal) to come or go into somethingKnock 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.
 

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 professionto enter a school/college/universityto enter politicsto 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, etcto enter a relationship/conflict/warSeveral 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 somebodyenter something 1000 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.
 

write information

5 [transitive] to put names, numbers, details, etc. in a list, book or computerenter something (in something) Enter your name and occupation in the boxes (= on a form).enter something (into something) to enter data into a computerenter something (on something) to enter figures on a spreadsheet
 

say officially

6 [transitive] enter something (formal) to say something officially so that it can be recordedto enter a plea of not guilty (= at the beginning of a court case)to enter an offer
see also entrance, entry
Idioms
see come/enter into force at force noun, enter somebody's/your name at name noun
Phrasal verbs

enter into something

(formal)1 to begin to discuss or deal with somethingLet's not enter into details at this stage.2 to take an active part in somethingThey entered into the spirit of the occasion (= began to enjoy and feel part of it).3 [no passive] to form part of something or have an influence on somethingThis possibility never entered into our calculations.Your personal feelings shouldn't enter into this at all.

enter into something (with somebody)

to begin something or become involved in somethingto enter into an agreementto enter into negotiations

enter on/upon something

(formal) to start to do something or become involved in itto enter on a new careerShe entered upon a love affair which was to ruin her marriage.