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

Zhang also pointed to existing international acceptance of some Chinese aviation products. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026

Barack Obama watches the fireworks after his acceptance of the Democratic presidential nomination at Invesco Field at Mile High at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver. — Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Harvard University is only slightly more difficult to get into, with a 4% acceptance rate. — Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026

But Hamas officials were reportedly conditioning acceptance on Israel’s fulfillment of the October 2025 ceasefire terms. — Ned Temko, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Aug. 2026

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