reception

noun

re·​cep·​tion ri-ˈsep-shən 

1

: the act or action or an instance of receiving: such as

a

: receipt

the reception and distribution of funds

b

: admission

reception into the church

c

: response, reaction

the play met with a mixed reception

d

: the receiving of a radio or television broadcast

e

: the catching of a forward pass by a receiver

2

: a social gathering often for the purpose of extending a formal welcome

Did you know?

Reception is the noun form of receive. So at a formal reception, guests are received or welcomed or "taken in". A bad TV reception means the signal isn't being received well. When a new novel receives good reviews, we say it has met with a good critical reception. If it gets a poor reception, on the other hand, that's the same as saying that it wasn't well-received.

Synonyms

• affair
• bash
• binge
• blast
• blowout
• do
• event
• fete
• fête
• function
• get-together
• party
• shindig

Examples of reception in a Sentence

The school held a reception for the new students and their families.

He decided to run for a seat on the school committee only a year after his reception into the community.

Her job is to deal with the reception of donations.

Recent Examples on the Web

The competition will culminate in an awards reception announcing the winners at the JCK Show in Las Vegas where industry leaders, influential retailers and media will gather to celebrate exceptional design achievement. —Anthony Demarco, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025

McDuffie lined up across from Collins on 22 of his 32 routes (68.8 percent), allowing just two receptions for 42 yards, according to Next Gen Stats. —Nate Taylor, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025

The Bidens then greeted the Trumps at the White House and hosted them for a coffee and tea reception in the Blue Room. —Cate Martel, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2025

Google and YouTube are hosting their own reception for creators and podcasters, a source familiar told WIRED. —Makena Kelly, WIRED, 20 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English recepcion, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French reception, from Latin reception-, receptio, from recipere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing reception

• reception area
• reception class
• reception room

Kids Definition

reception

noun

re·​cep·​tion ri-ˈsep-shən 

1

: the act or process of receiving, welcoming, or accepting

a warm reception

2

: the receiving of a radio or television broadcast

3

: a social gathering

a wedding reception