re·ceive
| \ ri-ˈsēv
\
\
received; receiving
Essential Meaning of receive
1
: to get or be given (something)
You will be charged a late fee if the electric company does not receive your payment on time. I received a letter/call from her yesterday. See More ExamplesYou will receive a discount if you spend over 0. This spring he'll receive [=be awarded] his PhD in physics.
2
: to react to (something) in a specified way
She received the news of his death with remarkable calmness.
3
formal
: to welcome (someone) in usually a formal way
The ambassador received [=greeted] his guests as they arrived at the party.
Full 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
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
Williams wonders: What if, in the future, a suicidal patient could receive TMS in the emergency room and be quickly pulled out of their depressive mental spiral?
—
Isabella Cueto, STAT, 14 Jan. 2022
And lower-income policyholders receive subsidies that eliminate their premiums.
—
Tami Luhby, CNN, 13 Jan. 2022
Typically and ideally patients receive care in cordoned off bays.
—
Shari Rudavsky, The Indianapolis Star, 13 Jan. 2022
The top five films from the opt-in chapter vote in Round One automatically receive a nomination.
—
K.j. Yossman, Variety, 12 Jan. 2022
Sheriffs also receive revenues each year from the annual permits.
—
al, 12 Jan. 2022
The fields probably receive proper maintenance, but players want assurances and comfort, especially after this past season.
—
Mike Preston, baltimoresun.com, 12 Jan. 2022
As of May 2021, all eligible households receive at least $95 in the extra benefits, according to MDHHS.
—
Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 12 Jan. 2022
After the hour, there is also a question-and-answer session where residents are able to get advice and upon completing the class, attendants receive a 50-page resource manual and a certificate.
—
Talis Shelbourne, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12 Jan. 2022
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.
Learn More About receive
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Last Updated
15 Jan 2022
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Cite this Entry
“Receive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/receive. Accessed 16 Jan. 2022.
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More Definitions for receive
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
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Time Traveler for receive
The first known use of receive was in the 14th century
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