acceptance

noun

ac·​cep·​tance ik-ˈsep-tən(t)s 

ak-

1

: the quality or state of being accepted or acceptable

His theories have gained widespread acceptance.

2

: the act of accepting something or someone : the fact of being accepted : approval

acceptance of responsibility

3

law : an agreeing either expressly or by conduct to the act or offer of another so that a contract is concluded and the parties become legally bound

4

a

: the act of accepting a time draft or bill of exchange for payment when due according to the specified terms

b

: an accepted draft or bill of exchange

5

: acceptation sense 2

Examples of acceptance in a Sentence

her acceptance into the club

The university has sent me a letter of acceptance.

He delivered an acceptance speech after he was chosen as the party's presidential nominee.

Recent Examples on the Web

But critics counter that aggregate data on applicant and acceptance pools isn’t enough to prove race-conscious admissions when schools use a holistic review process. —Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2025

Austrian Post, Austria’s leading logistics and postal service provider, stated that the last acceptance of commercial shipments to the U.S., including Puerto Rico, will take place Tuesday. —Demetris Nellas, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2025

There's a reason the track basically heals the world in the movie: no one is immune to its thumping drive, its towering, teetering vocals or its empowering message of self acceptance. —Mackenzie Schmidt, People.com, 23 Aug. 2025

Escape Room, the title of which plays off the group game, chronicles the process of navigating grief, trauma, acceptance, and new beginnings. —Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 22 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Anglo-French, "agreement to abide by the act on another," from accepter "to accept" + -ance -ance

First Known Use

circa 1530, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing acceptance

• acceptance speech
• banker's acceptance
• find acceptance
• self-acceptance
• trade acceptance

Rhymes for acceptance

• nonacceptance

Kids Definition

acceptance

noun

ac·​cep·​tance ik-ˈsep-tən(t)s 

ak-

1

: the act of accepting

2

: the quality or state of being accepted or acceptable