greet

verb \ ˈgrēt \

|Updated on: 16 Jun 2018

Definition of greet

greeted; greeting; greets

transitive verb

1 : to address with expression of kind wishes upon meeting or arrival

greeted guests at the door

2 a : to meet or react to in a specified manner

greeted him with boos

b : 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

Drama surrounding the event heightened in the hours before the leaders greeted each other, as the two sides shifted their schedules.

— Fortune, "President Trump Shakes Hands With Kim Jong Un to Kick Off Historic Summit," 12 June 2018
After greeting each other, the two leaders planned to sit for a one on one meeting that a U.S. official said could last up to two hours, with only translators joining them.

— BostonGlobe.com, "North Korea talks moving ‘more quickly than expected,’ White House says," 11 June 2018
Justify walks outside barn with Bob Baffert and greets the media.

— fletcher page, The Courier-Journal, "Did Justify have help from another horse at Belmont? That's nonsense," 11 June 2018
After greeting each other for the first time Tuesday in front of reporters, the American president and the North Korean leader will seclude themselves on Singapore’s Sentosa Island for roughly 45 minutes while their entourages wait nearby.

— Washington Post, "Ditching entourages, Trump and Kim Jong Un to meet 1 on 1," 11 June 2018
The two teams exchanged scoreless ninth and 10th innings before Rizzo greeted Albers with a homer that put the Cubs ahead at 3-2.

— todd rosiak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Cubs 7, Brewers 2: The frustration continues after late-innings meltdown," 11 June 2018
Collages of women greet the viewer with piercing eyes; with their hair manipulated beyond the colloquial definition of natural, the women’s faces take center stage.

— hannah giorgis, The Atlantic, "Lorna Simpson Maps the Complex Galaxies of Black Women’s Hair," 10 June 2018
After needlessly chasing Tim Duncan, embarrassing themselves by greeting Tracy McGrady at O’Hare with Benny the Bull and a marching band and getting spurned by Jones, the Bulls settled for Ron Mercer.

— k.c. johnson, chicagotribune.com, "20 years since dissolution of the dynasty, Bulls still a long way from the top," 10 June 2018
Family will be greeting friends and relatives at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 10.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Deaths in South Florida: 6/9," 9 June 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

greet

verb

Definition of greet

grat play \ˈgrat\; grutten play \ˈgrə-tᵊn\

intransitive verb

Scotland

: weep, lament

Recent Examples of greet from the Web

Unaware of the time change, New Season’s members showed up on time as usual but were not greeted warmly.

— breanna edwards, The Root, "Georgia Church Expelled from the Southern Baptist Convention after Being Accused of Discriminating Against Black Congregation," 13 June 2018
This encounter has grown into one of the most popular snorkel sights on the planet, and now a few hundred stingrays greet thousands of tourists each day.

— National Geographic, "32 Astonishing Photos From a Career Spent Underwater," 13 June 2018
Drama surrounding the event heightened in the hours before the leaders greeted each other, as the two sides shifted their schedules.

— Fortune, "President Trump Shakes Hands With Kim Jong Un to Kick Off Historic Summit," 12 June 2018
In videos shared to Thomas Rhett’s Instagram Story, his older daughter seems to be a mix of excited and shy while greeting Piglet inside The Crystal Palace restaurant and Frozen sisters Anna and Elsa.

— jen juneau, PEOPLE.com, "Thomas Rhett Takes His Adorable Family to Disney World — and Daughter Willa Meets the Princesses!," 12 June 2018
The Singapore summit will begin with the two leaders publicly greeting each other, followed by a one-on-one meeting and group negotiations with top Trump and Kim aides about the potential denuclearization of North Korea.

— madeleine ngo, Vox, "Kim Jong Un went sightseeing in Singapore hours before Tuesday’s historic summit," 11 June 2018
The event will feature an exciting collection of Cincinnati chefs who will greet guests and share samples of their creations (food, wine and beer).

— madeline mitchell, Cincinnati.com, "Wine and food and beer, oh my: Grand Tasting Tips," 11 June 2018
Justify walks outside barn with Bob Baffert and greets the media.

— fletcher page, The Courier-Journal, "Did Justify have help from another horse at Belmont? That's nonsense," 11 June 2018
The two teams exchanged scoreless ninth and 10th innings before Rizzo greeted Albers with a homer that put the Cubs ahead at 3-2.

— todd rosiak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Cubs 7, Brewers 2: The frustration continues after late-innings meltdown," 11 June 2018

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

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

GREET Defined for Kids

greet

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.

—

greeter

noun

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See words that rhyme with greet Spanish Central: Translation of greet Nglish: Translation of greet for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of greet for Arabic speakers

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