receptionist

noun

re·​cep·​tion·​ist ri-ˈsep-sh(ə-)nist 

: a person employed to greet telephone callers, visitors, patients, or clients

Examples of receptionist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Later in life, McGuire volunteered as a receptionist and advocate at the Coalition for Economic Survival legal clinic in Los Angeles to offer support for low-income tenants facing eviction. — Mya Copeland, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026

O’Hara is most famous for his collection Lunch Poems, written in his lunch break as a receptionist from the Museum of Modern Art—proving even future curators/art critics must begin at the front desk. — Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026

This is the second British hotel by the brand behind the Orient Express, and although traces of those trains can be found in the doorman’s redcoats and the receptionist’s bow tie, this is not the sort of place that requires a gown for dinner. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

The doorbell rang constantly as patient after patient walked up to the white window and the volunteer receptionist buzzed them in for their appointments. — Tamar Hallerman, AJC.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

receptionist

noun

re·​cep·​tion·​ist ri-ˈsep-sh(ə-)nəst 

: an office employee who greets callers, answers questions, and arranges appointments