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

The Royal Family has spent the anniversary carrying out engagements and remembering the late Queen with a series of online tributes, and a reception for 190 guests, including representatives from many of the late Queen’s charities at Buckingham Palace. —Katie Nicholl, Vanity Fair, 21 Apr. 2026

King Charles and Queen Camilla will also visit the British Museum to view the final design for the national memorial to Queen Elizabeth and will host a reception at Buckingham Palace for representatives from the late Queen’s patronages. —Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 21 Apr. 2026

And later in the evening, the royals will host a special reception at Buckingham Palace marking Queen Elizabeth's 100th birthday. —Helen Murphy, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026

Also on Tuesday, Charles and the royal family will host a reception at Buckingham Palace for the late queen's birthday. —Katie Kindelan, ABC News, 21 Apr. 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