greet

play

verb \ˈgrēt\

Definition of greet

transitive verb
1 : to address with expression of kind wishes upon meeting or arrival greeted guests at the door
2a : to meet or react to in a specified manner greeted him with boosb : to occur as a response to apathy greeted the plan
3 : to appear to the perception of a surprising sight greeted her eyes

greeter

noun

Recent Examples of greet from the Web

Additional volunteers greet guests, serve the food, sell chances and handle details of who won what.

— karen horgan kuhlman, Cincinnati.com, "Column: Hats off to 30 years of CaSSba," 18 July 2017
Stanton greeted members of the family of Roberto Clemente and presented a bouquet of flowers to Clemente’s widow, Vera.

— andre c. fernandez, miamiherald, "Giancarlo Stanton representing Miami non-stop during All-Star break," 11 July 2017
Freddy Galvis greeted Hand with a game-tying single.

— dennis lin, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Austin Hedges lifts Padres over Phillies," 7 July 2017
The shelter requires a meet and greet with any other dogs in the home, prior to adoption.

— idahostatesman, "Canyon County Pet of the Week: Maxx," 3 July 2017
Visitors to Ivy Tech Community College's East Chicago campus are greeted by a sight that is rather unexpected outside a city building.

— donna kiesling, Post-Tribune, "Knowledge grows at Ivy Tech's East Chicago garden," 29 June 2017
As the artists and their families arrived at the June 19 reception, they were greeted with a display of the floral artwork, arranged by Moody Blooms' owner Kathy Cunningham.

— linda lemond, Post-Tribune, "Student artists in bloom," 27 June 2017
In another photo shared to the Orange County Register's Instagram account, Chad greets one of the patients with a gentlemanly bow.

— zoë weiner, Teen Vogue, "Chad Michael Murray Wore His "Cinderella Story" Costume to a Prom For Teens With Cancer," 27 June 2017
James, Silicon Valley did not greet the Trump administration with open arms.

— WSJ, "The GOP Stand in Georgia," 26 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'greet.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of greet

Middle English greten, from Old English grētan; akin to Old English grǣtan to weep

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

greet

verb

Definition of greet

grat

play \ˈgrat\;

grutten

play \ˈgrə-t^ən\

Scotland

intransitive verb
: weep, lament

Recent Examples of greet from the Web

Additional volunteers greet guests, serve the food, sell chances and handle details of who won what.

— karen horgan kuhlman, Cincinnati.com, "Column: Hats off to 30 years of CaSSba," 18 July 2017
Stanton greeted members of the family of Roberto Clemente and presented a bouquet of flowers to Clemente’s widow, Vera.

— andre c. fernandez, miamiherald, "Giancarlo Stanton representing Miami non-stop during All-Star break," 11 July 2017
Freddy Galvis greeted Hand with a game-tying single.

— dennis lin, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Austin Hedges lifts Padres over Phillies," 7 July 2017
The shelter requires a meet and greet with any other dogs in the home, prior to adoption.

— idahostatesman, "Canyon County Pet of the Week: Maxx," 3 July 2017
Visitors to Ivy Tech Community College's East Chicago campus are greeted by a sight that is rather unexpected outside a city building.

— donna kiesling, Post-Tribune, "Knowledge grows at Ivy Tech's East Chicago garden," 29 June 2017
As the artists and their families arrived at the June 19 reception, they were greeted with a display of the floral artwork, arranged by Moody Blooms' owner Kathy Cunningham.

— linda lemond, Post-Tribune, "Student artists in bloom," 27 June 2017
In another photo shared to the Orange County Register's Instagram account, Chad greets one of the patients with a gentlemanly bow.

— zoë weiner, Teen Vogue, "Chad Michael Murray Wore His "Cinderella Story" Costume to a Prom For Teens With Cancer," 27 June 2017
James, Silicon Valley did not greet the Trump administration with open arms.

— WSJ, "The GOP Stand in Georgia," 26 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of greet

Middle English greten, from Old English grǣtan; akin to Old Norse grāta to weep

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

GREET Defined for Kids

greet

play

verb \ˈgrēt\

Definition of greet for Students

greeted

;

greeting

1 : to speak to in a friendly polite way upon arrival : welcome
2 : to respond to in a certain way Audience members greeted the speech with boos.
3 : to present itself to A pretty scene greeted them.