receiving line
noun
: a group of people who stand in a line and individually welcome guests (as at a wedding reception)
Examples of receiving line in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Live Coverage Feed 14 hours ago Republicans Greet Mike Johnson With Hugs
Inside the room, Republicans are approaching Rep. Mike Johnson (R., La.), who is almost a one-man receiving line.
—
Siobhan Hughes, WSJ, 25 Oct. 2023
After the ceremony, receiving line, cocktail hour, and dinner, your feet will be ready to call it quits before the first dance even starts.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Harper's BAZAAR, 25 July 2023
Instead, her parents, Lan Liu and Ping He, stood in a receiving line at the Beidelman-Kunsch Funeral Homes & Crematory, sharing their sorrow with family and friends.
—Suzanne Baker, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2023
Yes, this is what the receiving line is for.
—Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 15 Dec. 2021
There was no receiving line, no warm embraces.
—Keith Bierygolick, The Enquirer, 13 Aug. 2021
There were no visible nerves with sophomore shooting guard Kam Jones coming out for player introductions by crawling through the receiving line, a TikTok trend that was inspired by Rihanna’s performance in the Super Bowl.
—Ben Steele, Journal Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2023
Wall finished with 13 points on 13 shots and, after the last buzzer, went through a receiving line of friends and acquaintances along the sideline.
—Andrew Greif, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2022
As the queen moved down the receiving line along a red carpet -- dressed in a bright blue floral dress and her trademark hat and white gloves -- 7-year-old Jasmine Evans presented her with a yellow and blue flower bouquet.
—Dallas News, 2 June 2022
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Siobhan Hughes, WSJ, 25 Oct. 2023
After the ceremony, receiving line, cocktail hour, and dinner, your feet will be ready to call it quits before the first dance even starts.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Harper's BAZAAR, 25 July 2023
Instead, her parents, Lan Liu and Ping He, stood in a receiving line at the Beidelman-Kunsch Funeral Homes & Crematory, sharing their sorrow with family and friends.
—Suzanne Baker, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2023
Yes, this is what the receiving line is for.
—Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 15 Dec. 2021
There was no receiving line, no warm embraces.
—Keith Bierygolick, The Enquirer, 13 Aug. 2021
There were no visible nerves with sophomore shooting guard Kam Jones coming out for player introductions by crawling through the receiving line, a TikTok trend that was inspired by Rihanna’s performance in the Super Bowl.
—Ben Steele, Journal Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2023
Wall finished with 13 points on 13 shots and, after the last buzzer, went through a receiving line of friends and acquaintances along the sideline.
—Andrew Greif, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2022
As the queen moved down the receiving line along a red carpet -- dressed in a bright blue floral dress and her trademark hat and white gloves -- 7-year-old Jasmine Evans presented her with a yellow and blue flower bouquet.
—Dallas News, 2 June 2022
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'receiving line.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1933, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near receiving line
Cite this Entry
“Receiving line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/receiving%20line. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.
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