enter

Enter is a verb with several related meanings. In its most common sense, to enter means to go or come into a place, crossing a boundary or threshold. It can describe physical movement (entering a room or building) as well as figurative entry, such as entering a competition, entering a market, or entering data into a form. The phrase enter into is used for beginning or agreeing to something, for example to enter into a contract or into partnership.

The word derives from Middle English, from Old French entrer, ultimately from Latin intrare meaning to go in. The modern form and senses have developed through the centuries.

In computing and digital contexts, enter refers to actions that signal submission or confirmation. The Enter key on keyboards is typically labeled Enter or Return and is used to submit input, create a new line, or confirm a command, depending on the software. The exact behavior varies by program and platform. In data processing and databases, to enter data means to input it into a system or form.

In legal and formal language, enter into a contract or agreement is a phrasal verb describing the act of forming a binding arrangement.

See also data entry; Enter key; Return key; entry.