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

Three of the South Dakota State commit’s six receptions ended in the end zone. — Jerry Birchfield, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026

With dinner and a reception, Jeffries and Obama are planning to hold the event in September. — Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Jaytn Briles had four receptions for 121 yards with Brayden Boults carrying the load at running back with 79 yards on 18 carries with scoring runs of 1 and 18 yards. — Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026

With the Bucs trailing 9-0 early in the third quarter, Jalon Daniels rolled to his right and spotted Patterson near the right sideline for a lunging, toe-tapping 24-yard reception to set up the game’s first touchdown. — Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 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