welcomed; welcoming
1
: to greet hospitably and with courtesy or cordiality
2
: to accept with pleasure the occurrence or presence of
welcomes danger
welcomer
noun
—used to express a greeting to a guest or newcomer upon arrival
1
: received gladly into one's presence or companionship
was always welcome in their home
2
: giving pleasure : received with gladness or delight especially in response to a need
a welcome relief
3
: willingly permitted or admitted
he was welcome to come and go—
W. M. Thackeray
W. M. Thackeray4
—used in the phrase "You're welcome" as a reply to an expression of thanks
welcomely
adverb
welcomeness
noun
1
: a greeting or reception usually upon arrival
a warm welcome
2
: the state of being welcome
overstayed their welcome
Synonyms
Examples of welcome in a Sentence
Verb
She welcomed the students into her home.
We welcome you to the show.
He's a bright student who welcomes a challenge.
Adjective
That will be a welcome change.
He was a welcome sight.
Noun
He was given a hero's welcome when he returned home after winning the race.
offered a warm welcome to the stranger
Recent Examples on the Web
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
Case in point: When Los Gatos welcomed in Palo Alto for a big-time hoops matchup last Friday at home, Brennan had just returned from a broken right hand that kept him out several weeks.
—Christian Babcock, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2025
Andrew Torgan, CNN, 2 Feb. 2025
After a sluggish start to the year, Dog Man is a welcome jolt with a family-friendly story that is thus far, serving it quite well.
—EW.com, 2 Feb. 2025
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025
According to a friend of Jason Kelce, the Swift-Kelce crew did not receive the warmest welcome from Bills fans during last year's Chiefs-Bills playoff game.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 26 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for welcome 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
The city welcomed several thousand immigrants over the past two years as part of a program that saw Texas Governor Greg Abbott bus those who had crossed the southwest border illegally to sanctuary cities.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
Case in point: When Los Gatos welcomed in Palo Alto for a big-time hoops matchup last Friday at home, Brennan had just returned from a broken right hand that kept him out several weeks.
—Christian Babcock, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
The organization said the new name is meant to help everyone, including boys and girls, feel welcome.
—Andrew Torgan, CNN, 2 Feb. 2025
After a sluggish start to the year, Dog Man is a welcome jolt with a family-friendly story that is thus far, serving it quite well.
—EW.com, 2 Feb. 2025
Noun
Jokes are usually emphasized by dramatic music cutting out (à la comedy movie trailers), a trick that overstays its welcome.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025
According to a friend of Jason Kelce, the Swift-Kelce crew did not receive the warmest welcome from Bills fans during last year's Chiefs-Bills playoff game.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 26 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for welcome
Articles Related to welcome
Dictionary Entries Near welcome
Cite this Entry
“Welcome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/welcome. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
welcome
1 of 4 interjection
wel·come
ˈwel-kəm 
—used to greet a guest or newcomer upon arrival
welcome
2 of 4 verb
welcomed; welcoming
1
: to greet in a warm and friendly manner
2
: to receive or accept with pleasure
welcomes a challenge
welcomer
noun
welcome
3 of 4 adjective1
: received gladly
a welcome visitor
2
: giving pleasure : pleasing
welcome news
3
: willingly permitted to do, have, or enjoy something
anyone is welcome to use the pool
4
—used in the phrase "You're welcome" as a reply to an expression of thanks
welcome
4 of 4 noun
: a friendly greeting or reception
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