entrada

Entrada is a noun used in Spanish and Portuguese with several related meanings centered on the idea of entering or access. The core senses are entrance or doorway, referring to the point of entry into a place, as well as the act of entering. It can also denote a ticket or pass granting access to an event, such as a concert or theater performance.

In technical and modern usage, entrada often means input. For example, in computing and information contexts, phrases like entrada de datos (data input) or entrada de usuario (user input) are common. In engineering or signal processing, entrada can refer to an energy or signal input to a system (entrada de energía, entrada de señal).

In gastronomy, particularly in some Spanish-speaking regions, entrada can refer to a starter or first course served before the main dish. In other regions, the term entrante or primer plato may be used instead.

Etymology traces entrada to the Latin introitus, through the evolution of Iberian languages. The word is closely related to similar terms in other Romance languages that express entry, access, or admission.

Overall, entrada is a versatile term whose meaning depends on context, ranging from physical access and tickets to data input and culinary conventions.