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

• hello
• 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

Francis was the first pope to fly through Chinese airspace and famously sent greetings to President Xi Jinping in 2014. —Eryk Michael Smith, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2025

On Sunday, the day before Francis’ passing, Vance exchanged Easter greetings with an ailing Pope. —Philip Elliott, Time, 21 Apr. 2025

The Vatican said the encounter lasted a few minutes and was designed to allow for an exchange of Easter greetings. —Nicole Winfield and Silvia Stellacci, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2025

Vance, a Catholic who has clashed with the pontiff over the Trump administration's immigration policies, met Francis at his Vatican residence to exchange Easter greetings, the statement said. —Joshua McElwee, USA Today, 20 Apr. 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