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

The acceptance that no race is going to be 100 percent perfect from top to bottom. —Jayson Jenks, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2026

Florida universities’ acceptance of out-of-state students has increased in recent decades, but compared to public, particularly flagship, universities in other states, the Sunshine State still gives higher priority to its residents. —Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026

Still, others reiterated the need for retaining students’ sense of security and acceptance. —Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026

There are no answers, just doom, gloom, and radical acceptance. —Big Think, 5 Feb. 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