entry

Entry has several related meanings in everyday language and specialized usage. At its core, an entry is the act of entering or the place where one enters, such as an entry door or entryway, the point of access to a building or room. In this sense, the term can refer to the doorway itself or to admission more generally.

In information management, an entry denotes a single item within a collection, list, or database. Each entry represents a discrete record containing associated data fields. The word is also used for a listing or record in a directory, registry, encyclopedia, or dictionary; for example, an encyclopedia entry or a dictionary entry.

In publishing and competition contexts, an entry is something submitted for inclusion, such as an entry in a contest or an entry in a registry. The people who submit are called entrants.

In computing, data entry is the process of inputting information into a computer system. An entry point is a designated starting location for execution, such as the main function in many programming languages or the first module reached during program startup.

The term’s versatility means it can refer to physical access, a unit of information, a written article, or a submission in a process, all tied together by the idea of admission or inclusion into a system or structure.