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 of reception

• 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

Kate recently acknowledged the challenges at a Buckingham Palace reception marking Queen Elizabeth’s 100th birthday in April 2026. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 20 Sep. 2026

Bray, guarded tight by a Virginia Cavalier, somehow came up with it for the 38-yard reception. — Charlotte Observer, 20 Sep. 2026

Two of those receptions went for 41 yards and 24 yards on the final two drives of the game, positioning the Panthers to make a late push. — Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2026

Its reception at the two very different festivals was equally glowing, with special emphasis on lead John Malkovich, who received both a tribute at Telluride, and an award from the competition jury at Venice, the Volpi Cup for Best Actor. — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 20 Sep. 2026

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