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 speech was a high-stakes diplomatic moment for the British monarch, but he was met with a warm and bipartisan reception. —Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026

Smith caught 83 passes for 1,256 yards and 22 TDs, while Shen had 61 receptions for 1,062 yards and 12 TDs, as the Redhawks went 16-4 and won a regional championship. —Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026

Accessible rooms cluster near reception on upper levels, convenient for restaurants but requiring maximum logistics to reach pools or beach. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026

On April 16, the TV Academy in North Hollywood was packed to the gills for a screening of the season two finale — which looked particularly stunning on a big screen — followed by an impressive Q&A and reception with Thornton, Larter, Elliott, Moore, Randolph, Lofland and Chávez. —Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 28 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