receptionist

noun

re·​cep·​tion·​ist ri-ˈsep-sh(ə-)nist How to pronounce receptionist (audio)
: a person employed to greet telephone callers, visitors, patients, or clients

Examples of receptionist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Since the 1960s when author Craig Claiborne, who started his career in food journalism as a receptionist for Gourmet Magazine, imagined a regular dining section and a four-star scale system to rate restaurants, the food critics’ ultimate goal has been to remain anonymous. Sylvie Bigar, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025 Mealing, who used to work as a medical receptionist in a pediatric neurosurgeon’s office before her diagnosis and now volunteers for the American Cancer Society, went on Medicaid after going on short-term disability. Geoff Mulvihill, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025 Charges of criminally negligent homicide against the other three — a businessman traveling with Payne, the hotel manager and the main receptionist — were dropped in February. Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 8 May 2025 Now, did the receptionist share all the details of the company’s 12 economic engines? Brendan Keegan, Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for receptionist

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of receptionist was in 1901

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Receptionist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/receptionist. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

receptionist

noun
re·​cep·​tion·​ist ri-ˈsep-sh(ə-)nəst How to pronounce receptionist (audio)
: an office employee who greets callers, answers questions, and arranges appointments

More from Merriam-Webster on receptionist

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!