At the Entrance Gate: Meaning, Usage, and Examples

Meaning 1：at the gate (at the entrance gate)

at the entrance gate 🔊

/æt ði ˈɛntrəns ɡeɪt/

prep. phr.

At the door or point where you go into a place.

Family standing at the entrance gate of a theme park looking at a map

at the gate 🔊

➕

/æt ðə ɡeɪt/

prep. phr.

This phrase refers to the specific location right at the gate that serves as the entry point to a place or event.

📁 Category：Buildings & Places 🔖 Level：Elementary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Entrance (Latin 'intrare') + gate (Old English 'geat') + preposition 'at' = location at entry point.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine waiting at a giant gate with 'ENTRANCE' sign, ready to enter.

📖 Example

Let's meet at the entrance gate of the amusement park at 9 a.m. 🔊 We should meet at the entrance gate of the amusement park at 9 a.m.

🔗 Collocations

wait at the entrance gate – to stay near the entry gate

stand at the entrance gate – to be positioned right by the entry gate

meet at the entrance gate – to gather at the entry gate

🔄 Synonyms

at the door (prep. phr.) – at the main entry point of a building

by the gate (prep. phr.) – next to the gate

at the entry point (prep. phr.) – at the location where one enters

🚫 Antonyms

inside (adv./prep.) – within the place, away from the gate

outside (adv./prep.) – beyond the boundary, not at the gate

at the exit (prep. phr.) – at the departure point

📖 Cultural Story

In medieval castles, the entrance gate was heavily fortified and often featured a portcullis. Today, it commonly refers to the main access point at events or venues like amusement parks.