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

Rams Walker has had a stellar 2025 season in his own right, rushing for 1,027 yards during the regular season while scoring five touchdowns, along with 36 receptions for 282 yards. —Trevor Woods, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026

At the opening reception for the exhibition last Tuesday, San Jose Director of Cultural Affairs Kerry Adams Hapner also provided a rundown of the upcoming art installations and activations coming this winter and spring. —Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2026

Mamdani posted on social media a picture from a reception center at a nearby school for people impacted by the explosion. —Mark Prussin, CBS News, 24 Jan. 2026

Stafford did his part that night, passing for a season-high 457 yards, 225 of them to Puka Nacua on 12 receptions. —Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 24 Jan. 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