reception

American  

[ri-sep-shuhn] / rɪˈsɛp ʃən /

noun

1. the act of receiving or the state of being received.

2. a manner of being received.

   The book met with a favorable reception.

   Synonyms:

   treatment, reaction, response

3. a function or occasion when persons are formally received.

   a wedding reception.

4. the quality or fidelity attained in receiving radio or television broadcasts under given circumstances.

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reception British  

/ rɪˈsɛpʃən /

noun

1. the act of receiving or state of being received

2. the manner in which something, such as a guest or a new idea, is received

   a cold reception

3. a formal party for guests, such as one after a wedding

4. an area in an office, hotel, etc, where visitors or guests are received and appointments or reservations dealt with

5. short for reception room

6. the quality or fidelity of a received radio or television broadcast

   the reception was poor

7. 1. the first class in an infant school

   2. a class in a school designed to receive new immigrants, esp those whose knowledge of English is poor

   3. ( as modifier )

      a reception teacher

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Other Word Forms

• nonreception
  noun

Etymology

Origin of reception

1350–1400; Middle English recepcion < Latin receptiōn- (stem of receptiō ), equivalent to recept ( us ) (past participle of recipere to receive ) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

Reception is the act of receiving, or getting something, or the way it is received. If your book receives a positive reception, it means people receive it well. In other words, they like it. A reception can also be a party, such as a wedding reception. A reception area is an office waiting room where visitors are greeted and the receptionist sits. Reception can also refer to the quality of a broadcast signal, as received by a TV or radio. Good reception means a clear, strong signal, and poor reception means you might want to shake or kick the TV screen. A reception is also the act of catching the ball in American football.

Example Sentences

Reception centres were set up for those forced to leave their homes, including support for vulnerable residents requiring medical assistance.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

Luna has pointed to changes that have already been made as efforts to improve conditions, including deploying body-worn cameras at the Inmate Reception Center, Men’s Central Jail and Twin Towers Correctional Facility.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

Kindred polling suggests that 40% of parents think reducing screen time would help ensure their child is ready for Reception.

From BBC • Jan. 11, 2026

On Wednesday, the president obviously wanted to be anywhere other than the White House’s Diplomatic Reception Room.

From Salon • Dec. 19, 2025

The Reception Room was shabby, but Lina could tell that it had once been impressive.

From "The City of Ember" by Jeanne DuPrau

Related Words

• encounter
• gathering
• greeting
• meeting
• reaction
• receiving
• response
• welcome