welcome

verb

Save Word

wel·come | \ ˈwel-kəm

welcomed; welcoming

Definition of welcome

(Entry 1 of 4)

transitive verb

1 : to greet hospitably and with courtesy or cordiality

2 : to accept with pleasure the occurrence or presence of welcomes danger

welcome

interjection

Definition of welcome (Entry 2 of 4)

—used to express a greeting to a guest or newcomer upon arrival

welcome

adjective

Definition of welcome (Entry 3 of 4)

1 : received gladly into one's presence or companionship was always welcome in their home

2 : giving pleasure : received with gladness or delight especially in response to a need a welcome relief

3 : willingly permitted or admitted he was welcome to come and go— W. M. Thackeray

4 —used in the phrase "You're welcome" as a reply to an expression of thanks

welcome

noun

Definition of welcome (Entry 4 of 4)

1 : a greeting or reception usually upon arrival a warm welcome

2 : the state of being welcome overstayed their welcome

Other Words from welcome Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about welcome

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of welcome in a Sentence

Verb She welcomed the students into her home. We welcome you to the show. He's a bright student who welcomes a challenge. Adjective That will be a welcome change. He was a welcome sight. Noun He was given a hero's welcome when he returned home after winning the race. offered a warm welcome to the stranger

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The expansion would be a major development in the country’s vaccination campaign and welcome news to some parents who are anxious to protect their children during summer activities and before the start of the next school year. — New York Times, "F.D.A. Set to Authorize Pfizer Vaccine for Adolescents by Early Next Week," 3 May 2021 Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as we get caught up with stewards’ rulings. — John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, "Horse racing newsletter: Reflections on the Kentucky Derby," 3 May 2021 Popular travel destinations, including Disneyland, are ready to welcome them. — Author: David J. Lynch, Yeganeh Torbati, Anchorage Daily News, "How the pandemic led to a rental car crisis just as Americans are ready to bust loose," 2 May 2021 If the 49ers start out winning next season under Garoppolo, the predicament of how to get Lance playing time will be a tough but welcome one. — Ann Killion, San Francisco Chronicle, "With Trey Lance, all looks perfect for 49ers. They must brace for what's next," 1 May 2021 Popular travel destinations, including Disneyland, are ready to welcome them. — Washington Post, "How the pandemic led to a rental car crisis just as Americans are ready to bust loose," 1 May 2021 While Town Center will welcome guests, West Hills Park will not be open for the public to gather. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Santee TV coming soon as well as in-person meetings and weekly concerts," 30 Apr. 2021 The Bible calls for Jews and Christians in both the age of law and the age of grace to welcome the sojourner but not the immigrant or invader. — WSJ, "Immigration Is a Moral Issue, but Is Complex," 29 Apr. 2021 There are no Bengals on display, but the zoo did recently welcome three very cute tiger cubs as its newest residents. — cleveland, "11 NFL Draft-adjacent things to see, do and eat in Cleveland," 28 Apr. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective The zoo will be closed to foot traffic from 7 a.m. to noon as staff welcome vehicles to drive through the premises, beginning at the parking lot on Galvin Parkway. — Kimi Robinson, The Arizona Republic, "Cruise the Zoo is back this summer. What to know about the Phoenix Zoo's drive-thru outing," 6 May 2021 Given The Style Invitational’s tradition of wordplay, clever titles and/or captions are welcome as well (though not required). — Washington Post, "Style Invitational Week 1435: Who needs Peeps when we have CICADAS?," 6 May 2021 According to Augusta Health, appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are also welcome as long as supply allows. — From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, "Gritty, tick confusion, barbecue’s back: News from around our 50 states," 6 May 2021 William Hoffman: Welcome, Eva, and welcome, Jeffrey. — Tax Notes Staff, Forbes, "Interacting With The IRS: Pandemic Tax Challenges And Detours," 4 May 2021 Credit Cards are welcome at most major restaurants and hotels. — Deena Campbell, Essence, "We Enjoyed Our First Tropical Family Vacation In A Pandemic and Here's How," 4 May 2021 And while leotards and unitards have made an unexpected (but very welcome) comeback, those aren’t the only things the brand specializes in. — Dale Arden Chong, Glamour, "The Best Places to Buy Cheap Workout Clothes Online," 5 Apr. 2021 India recently stepped in with a relatively small, but welcome, addition of 100,000 doses. — BostonGlobe.com, "Some nations could wait years for COVID-19 shots. That’s bad for everyone," 22 Mar. 2021 And also those who hadn’t been exposed to it before got large doses of Gallagher’s endless optimism, so welcome in these troubled times. — Dom Amore, courant.com, "Dom Amore: If you like college basketball in March, how could you not love with UHart’s week in the NCAA Tournament sun?," 19 Mar. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Molster layered the space with a pink rug and a curved settee, a playful welcome to the home. — Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, "This 1950s Virginia Home Glitters with Gold Finishes and Colorful Style," 7 May 2021 For a guy from Boise, Idaho, who took a chance on himself moving to Alabama to coach against Saban, the teamwork on Harsin’s behalf of two titans felt truly, and finally, like his welcome-to-Auburn moment. — Joseph Goodman | Jgoodman@al.com, al, "Auburn’s Super Team presents Bryan Harsin to Birmingham," 5 May 2021 Prince Harry received a warm welcome in Los Angeles last night. — Annie Goldsmith, Town & Country, "Prince Harry Advocates for Vaccine Equity in First Public Appearance Since Prince Philip's Funeral," 3 May 2021 Right now, that restaurant is a place in Arlington that combines a warm welcome with good food in a spot that locals might recall as a former paint store or a chocolate factory. — Washington Post, "There’s a lot in the name, and on the plate, at Ruthie’s All-Day in Arlington," 30 Apr. 2021 Nerlens Noel received a warm welcome from the Thunder public address when starters were announced Saturday afternoon. — Joe Buettner, Star Tribune, "Knicks cruise past Thunder 119-97 after shaky start," 13 Mar. 2021 In 2009, Glazer and others with Fox received a startling welcome to Afghanistan. — Bryce Miller Columnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column: Fox NFL shows conduct TV fly-by of Marines at Miramar," 8 Nov. 2020 For Alexandra Clemente, a 29-year-old consultant in San Francisco, her awkwardness manifests as fear of overstaying her welcome. — Washington Post, "It’s not just you. We’re all socially awkward now.," 24 Apr. 2021 In addition to the new welcome offer, Capital One has made some major changes to its miles transfer program to benefit cardholders. — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, "Capital One's Venture Card Has a 100,000-Mile Limited Time Welcome Offer," 23 Apr. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'welcome.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of welcome

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Interjection

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1525, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for welcome

Verb

Middle English, from Old English welcumian, wylcumian, from wilcuma, noun

Interjection

Middle English, alteration of wilcume, from Old English, from wilcuma desirable guest (akin to Old High German willicomo desirable guest); akin to Old English willa, will desire, cuman to come — more at will, come

Keep scrolling for more