receive

verb

re·​ceive ri-ˈsēv 

received; receiving

transitive verb

1

: to come into possession of : acquire

receive a gift

2

a

: 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

3

a

: to permit to enter : admit

b

: welcome, greet

c

: to react to in a specified manner

4

: to accept as authoritative, true, or accurate : believe

5

a

: 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

intransitive verb

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

Synonyms

• admit
• enter
• take

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

On Broadway, Thompson received a Tony nomination for his performance in August Wilson’s Jitney. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 1 July 2025

The researchers looked at just over 1,000 children who received the DTP vaccine in the early 1980s. —Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 1 July 2025

There were 65 percent fewer deaths from HIV/AIDS in countries receiving a high level of support compared to those with little or no USAID funding, the study found. —Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 July 2025

The 32-year-old was one of the best tight ends in the NFL with 2,341 receiving yards on 197 receptions with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2019 and 2020 combined. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French receivre, from Latin recipere, from re- + capere to take — more at heave entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for receive

• achieve
• believe
• conceive
• deceive
• naive
• perceive
• relieve
• reprieve
• retrieve
• breve
• cleave
• cleeve

Kids Definition

receive

verb

re·​ceive ri-ˈsēv 

received; receiving

1

: to take or get something that is given, paid, or sent

receive the money

receive a letter

2

: to welcome on arrival : greet

receive friends

3

: to hold a reception

receive from four to six o'clock

4

: experience entry 2

receive a shock

5

: to change incoming radio waves into sounds or pictures

Etymology

Middle English receiven "to gain possession of," from early French receivre (same meaning), from Latin recipere "receive, take back," from re- "back, again" and capere "to take" — related to accept, capture