to place or move something so that it is exactly in the middle, or to be positioned in the middle
She centered the photo in the frame.
Before drilling, center the mark on the board.
✦ extension of the noun sense “middle”, used as a verb since the 17th century
to go or come into a place, building, or area
Visitors must enter the museum through the side door during renovations.
The soldiers quietly entered the village at dawn, careful not to wake anyone.
✦ From Old French entrer, from Latin intrare “to go inside”.
to type or put information into a computer, device, or form
Please enter your password and press the button.
He quickly entered the sales figures into the spreadsheet before the meeting.
to take part in a competition, race, or event
Our school will enter a team in the national robotics contest.
She entered the marathon to raise money for charity.
to begin or move into a particular state, condition, or period
The country entered a period of rapid economic growth after the reforms.
When the lights went out, the children entered a state of panic.
(in stage directions) to come onto the stage or into the scene
Act 1, Scene 2: Enter Macbeth and Banquo, their swords dripping with rain.
The script notes, "Enter the clown from the left, juggling brightly colored balls."
to make or build something from wood; to work as a carpenter
He carpentered a sturdy table out of reclaimed oak.
Over the weekend, she carpentered a new bookshelf for her apartment.
✦ Verb use developed from the noun meaning ‘to work as a carpenter’ in the 16th century.
