receipt

1 of 2

noun

re·​ceipt ri-ˈsēt 

plural receipts

1

a

: a writing acknowledging the receiving of goods or money

b

receipts plural, informal : proof, evidence

… he is on the hook right now for some pretty major charges that Mueller has the receipts for …

—Asha Rangappa

However, it was just a few weeks earlier that the reality star was crushing on another lovely lady … and we've got the receipts to prove it! HollywoodLife has text messages between the two …

—Sarah Jones

2

: the act or process of receiving

3

: something received

—usually used in plural

4

: recipe

5

a

obsolete : receptacle

b

archaic : a revenue office

receipt

2 of 2

verb

receipted; receipting; receipts

transitive verb

1

: to give a receipt for or acknowledge the receipt of

2

: to mark as paid

Did you know?

The History of Receipt and Recipe

These days it may seem odd to speak of "grandma's cookie receipt," but in the past, receipt was a synonym of recipe. Early use of receipt refers to medicinal preparations. Recipe didn't arrive until the 1500s, and it too was first used to describe a formula for medicine. In time, both words gained use in cookery, after which recipe slowly became the preferred word. Receipt later acquired its more familiar sense of "a writing acknowledging the receiving of goods or money." Both words, receipt and recipe, ultimately derive from Latin recipere ("to receive").

Examples of receipt in a Sentence

Noun

Keep your receipt in case you need to return anything.

The form should be completed and returned within 30 days of receipt.

Open immediately upon receipt of the package.

Our company deposits cash receipts every day.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Both programs would have to depend entirely on current tax receipts from active workers — in just eight years. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 30 June 2025

These messages usually include the receipt number and details on how to track their case status online. —Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025

Verb

In Los Angeles, fans can use their cup or receipt after purchase to visit the exclusive Kerplunk Kandy Speakeasy pop-up at 6501 Hollywood Blvd on Saturday, May 3, and Sunday, May 4, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. local time. —Pamela Chelin, People.com, 3 May 2025

Canyon Beasley, 21, of Gresham, Oregon, waived his right to be indicted before U.S. District Judge Sarah F. Russell in Bridgeport and pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English receite, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin recepta, probably from Latin, neuter plural of receptus, past participle of recipere to receive

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Verb

1787, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing receipt

• be in receipt of

Rhymes for receipt

• amit
• athlete
• backseat
• blackfeet
• broadsheet
• browbeat
• buckwheat
• compete
• compleat
• complete
• conceit
• concrete

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Kids Definition

receipt

1 of 2 noun

re·​ceipt ri-ˈsēt 

1

: recipe sense 2

2

: the act or process of receiving

3

: something received

—usually used in plural

4

: a written statement saying that money or goods have been received

receipt

2 of 2 verb

1

: to give a receipt for

2

: to mark as paid

receipt a bill

Legal Definition

receipt

noun

re·​ceipt ri-ˈsēt 

1

: the act, process, or fact of taking possession

2

: something (as income) received

—usually used in pl.

3

: a writing acknowledging the receiving of goods or money