reception

noun

re·​cep·​tion ri-ˈsep-shən 

1

: the act or action or an instance of receiving: such as

a

: receipt

the reception and distribution of funds

b

: admission

reception into the church

c

: response, reaction

the play met with a mixed reception

d

: the receiving of a radio or television broadcast

e

: the catching of a forward pass by a receiver

2

: a social gathering often for the purpose of extending a formal welcome

Did you know?

Reception is the noun form of receive. So at a formal reception, guests are received or welcomed or "taken in". A bad TV reception means the signal isn't being received well. When a new novel receives good reviews, we say it has met with a good critical reception. If it gets a poor reception, on the other hand, that's the same as saying that it wasn't well-received.

Synonyms

• event
• party
• celebration
• bash

Examples of reception in a Sentence

The school held a reception for the new students and their families.

He decided to run for a seat on the school committee only a year after his reception into the community.

Her job is to deal with the reception of donations.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Jets also have veterans Allen Lazard (who didn’t travel with the team to London last week for personal reasons) and Tyler Johnson, as well as fourth-round rookie Arian Smith, who has only four receptions over 191 offensive snaps. —Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025

Ohio State committed wide receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt aided the drive with a 26-yard reception that featured a cutback across the field. —Dan Albano, Oc Register, 19 Oct. 2025

While photography packages and wedding albums come with some turn-around time, a painting will be done at the end of the reception and can give couples a glimpse of the evening right away. —Metro Creative Services, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025

Of their first six offensive possessions, three were three-and-out, five ended in punts, and one — a promising jaunt to midfield late in the second quarter — hit a wall when Jalen Dupree fumbled at the Hawaii 41 after a 10-yard reception. —Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English recepcion, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French reception, from Latin reception-, receptio, from recipere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing reception

• reception area
• reception class
• reception room

Rhymes for reception

• conception
• deception
• exception
• inception
• perception
• apperception
• contraception
• interception
• misconception
• misperception
• preconception
• intussusception

Kids Definition

reception

noun

re·​cep·​tion ri-ˈsep-shən 

1

: the act or process of receiving, welcoming, or accepting

a warm reception

2

: the receiving of a radio or television broadcast

3

: a social gathering

a wedding reception