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

• affair
• bash
• binge
• blast
• blowout
• do
• event
• fete
• fête
• function
• get-together
• party
• shindig

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

That has meant the president has had to perform some of the responsibilities traditionally undertaken by first ladies, including choosing lighting fixtures and hosting receptions for Women’s History Month. —Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 8 May 2025

By the time Teddy and Winston left the reception with a radical new idea that might save Nora, Owen was in her bed looking much cozier than his wife would’ve preferred. —Charlie Mason, TVLine, 8 May 2025

Following the screening will be a reception featuring Douglas-Hamilton’s daughter and other conservation activists. —David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2025

Trump — a noted fan of the musical who previously used Les Mis music (without permission, of course) on the campaign trail in 2016 — is expected to attend the June 11 performance, which will follow a VIP reception where sponsorship levels cost between $100,000 to $2 million. —Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 8 May 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