greeting

noun

greet·​ing ˈgrē-tiŋ 

1

: a salutation at meeting

2

: an expression of good wishes : regards

—usually used in plural

holiday greetings

Synonyms

• salutation
• salute
• welcome

Examples of greeting in a Sentence

He addressed the members of the delegation with a formal greeting.

the volunteer directed the conference participants towards the coffee after offering them a cheerful greeting

Recent Examples on the Web

The water-resistant design features a grinning bird in a pilgrim hat perched atop a giant pumpkin adorned with a festive greeting. —Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025

Ron Vachris, shaking hands and greeting babies, had the mild civic familiarity of a small-town mayor. —Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025

Lessons progress in a clear sequence from practical basics—greetings, directions, dining, travel—to everyday conversation about opinions, routines, and past/future events. —PC Magazine, 20 Oct. 2025

Two cats have melted hearts across the internet after a video showing their enthusiastic greeting for their owner went viral on TikTok. —Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing greeting

• greeting card
• in greeting

Rhymes for greeting

• beating
• bleating
• cheating
• eating
• fleeting
• heating
• meeting
• seating
• sheeting
• sweeting
• treating
• accreting

Kids Definition

greeting

noun

greet·​ing

1

: salutation

2

: an expression of good wishes : regards

—usually used in plural