SINCE 1828
receive
verb
re·ceive
| \ ri-ˈsēv
\
\
received;
receiving
Definition of receive
1
: to come into possession of : acquire
receive a gift
2a
: to act as a receptacle or container for
the cistern receives water from the roof
b
: to assimilate through the mind or senses
receive new ideas
4
: to accept as authoritative, true, or accurate : believe
5a
: to support the weight or pressure of : bear
b
: to take (a mark or impression) from the weight of something
some clay receives clear impressions
c
: acquire, experience
received his early schooling at home
d
: to suffer the hurt or injury of
received a broken nose
1
: to be a recipient
2
: to be at home to visitors
receives on Tuesdays
3
: to convert incoming radio waves into perceptible signals
4
: to prepare to take possession of the ball from a kick in football
Keep scrolling for more
Examples of receive in a Sentence
… his stark and devastating description of Vichy collaborationism (which he based on German and American archives) was rather badly received in France …
— Stanley Hoffmann, New York Times Book Review, 1 Nov. 1981
George, white-gloved, with a gardenia in his buttonhole, stood with his mother and the Major, embowered in the big red and gold drawing room downstairs, to "receive" the guests; and, standing thus together, the trio offered a picturesque example of good looks persistent through three generations.
— Booth Tarkington, The Magnificent Ambersons, 1918
From this time the astronomer was received into familiar friendship, and partook of all their projects and pleasures: his respect kept him attentive, and the activity of Rasselas did not leave much time unengaged.
— Samuel Johnson, Rasselas, 1759
You will be charged a late fee if the electric company does not receive your payment on time.
I received a letter from her yesterday.
You will receive a discount if you spend over $100.
She received the news of his death with remarkable calmness.
See More
Recent Examples on the Web
The Wall Street Journal first reported Wednesday Gannett’s eight nominees had received significantly more support than the three put forward by Digital First, which is officially known as MNG Enterprises Inc. ... — Cara Lombardo And Lukas I. Alpert, WSJ, "Gannett Wins Proxy Fight Against Digital First Media," 16 May 2019 The truck was in such poor shape when Duba received it that there was a raccoon waiting for him inside. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Can a Lawnmower Engine Start a Dodge Ram? Sure, Why Not," 14 May 2019 Take $75 off at checkout, plus receive free white glove delivery and free mattress removal. — Shanon Maglente, Good Housekeeping, "Where to Find the Best Memorial Day Mattress Deals of 2019," 14 May 2019 Ned Stark found six direwolf pups in the side of the road and gave one to each of his children, and Jon received Ghost, the runt of the litter. — Ineye Komonibo, Marie Claire, "Why Didn't Jon Snow Say Goodbye to Ghost the Direwolf on 'Game of Thrones'?," 8 May 2019 Beyond serving as a source of creative inspiration for the designer and any colleagues who work out of the space, many times, their office is the first impression a potential client might receive of their capabilities. — Monique Valeris, ELLE Decor, "Office Envy: See Where Two Top Designers Bring Their Big Ideas to Life," 3 May 2019 The Roav Bolt is avialble for pre-order for $50 with the first 200 orders receiving a free Anker charging cable. — Michael Simon, PCWorld, "Anker's Roav Bolt brings Google Assistant to your car's 12V socket, even with an iPhone," 17 Apr. 2019 If Britain receives competing extradition requests, lawyers say the Home Secretary would have some leeway in deciding which takes priority. — Gregory Katz, The Seattle Times, "UK pressured not to overlook Swedish claims to Assange," 14 Apr. 2019 RTR Unlimited Plan is $159 per month (after getting $80 off a 60-day trial), with members receiving unlimited pieces and swaps, with no set return date. — Annemarie Conte, Woman's Day, "Rent the Runway Kids Is Launching Next Week, and Your Daughters' Clothes Just Got 100% Cooler," 8 Apr. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'receive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for receive
receive
verb
English Language Learners Definition of receive
: to get or be given (something)
: to react to (something) in a specified way
formal
: to welcome (someone) in usually a formal way
See the full definition for receive in the English Language Learners Dictionary
receive
verb
re·ceive
| \ ri-ˈsēv
\
\
received;
receiving
Kids Definition of receive
1
: to take or get something that is given, paid, or sent
Did you receive the money I sent?
2
: experience entry 2
Stone Fox refused to speak with the white man because of the treatment his people had received.— John Reynolds Gardiner, Stone Fox
3
: to accept as a visitor or member : welcome
She's too ill to receive friends.
4
: to change incoming radio waves into sounds or pictures
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on receive
What made you want to look up receive? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Time Traveler Quiz: Which Word Came First?
-
- Which came first?
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
Time Traveler Quiz: Which Word Came First?
Which word entered the English language first?
Take the quiz -
Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
Do you know these earlier meanings of words?
Take the quiz -
True or False?
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
Take the quiz -
Syn City
Build a city of skyscrapers—one synonym at a time.
Play the game
Share receive
Resources for receive