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

And Jalen Tolbert, who has pulled in 91 receptions for 1,093 yards, has scored the most NFL touchdowns (10). —Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026

The breeder and author joined Queen Camilla, 78, at Clarence House on Tuesday, May 12, for a reception for a group of canines from Medical Detection Dogs (MDD), as well as their handlers and supporters of the charity. —Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026

Bubble tested the range with a few community members and the reception was overwhelmingly positive, Eisenman said. —James Manso, Footwear News, 12 May 2026

The hour-long career retrospective interview, which will be followed by a reception, will take place on Thursday, May 14, in Meta House, Meta’s new activation space within the Majestic hotel along the Croisette. —Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 11 May 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