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
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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.
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Recent Examples on the Web Confidence in the vaccine has increased among staff after seeing that the first group of employees to receive them have been fine, leaders at multiple hospitals said.
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Andrea Gallo, NOLA.com, "An inside look at how Louisiana's early vaccine rollout stumbled: 'We need this in arms'," 9 Jan. 2021 Gowen said his Guard members needed to first leave their jobs, prepare for the mission and equip at the Armory, and were ready by 11 p.m., but the District was not ready to receive them until the following morning.
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Abraham Mahshie, Washington Examiner, "McCarthy claims Army ‘in the heat of taking back the Capitol’ did not delay National Guard authorizations," 8 Jan. 2021 Tadich Grill is the first Bay Area company to receive it.
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Tara Duggan, SFChronicle.com, "Historic Tadich Grill in S.F. gets ‘lifeline’ of new funding from controversial Barstool Sports," 7 Jan. 2021 Payments are half of what Americans received in March and fewer people will receive them.
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USA Today, "New COVID-19 stimulus bill is half of March's. How else it differs.," 31 Dec. 2020 Shots will also be available for ambulance workers who have yet to receive them, Dillaha said.
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Jeannie Roberts, Arkansas Online, "Virus cases rise by 3,184; prisons go on 'lockdown'," 31 Dec. 2020 Jack is a lazy guy who hijacked an entire class of students who paid for instruction and deserve to receive it.
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Washington Post, "Ask Amy: Aspiring journalist’s instructor buried the lede," 30 Dec. 2020 Jack is a lazy guy who highjacked an entire class of students who paid for instruction and deserve to receive it.
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Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, "Aspiring journalist’s instructor buried the lede," 30 Dec. 2020 Jack is a lazy guy who highjacked an entire class of students who paid for instruction and deserve to receive it.
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Amy Dickinson, oregonlive, "Ask Amy: Student gets shoddy education from community college instructor," 30 Dec. 2020
See MoreThese 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.
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More Definitions for receive
receive
verbEnglish 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
verbre·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
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Comments on receive
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Time Traveler for receive
The first known use of receive was in the 14th century
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