recipient
Americannoun
-
recipients
plural
adjective
noun
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of recipient
First recorded in 1550–60; from Latin recipient-, stem of recipiēns “receiving,” present participle of recipere “to receive”; see receive
Explanation
A recipient is the person on the receiving end of something. Meryl Streep is the recipient of more Academy Award nominations than any other actor. Just as an actor can be the recipient of a prize for acting, a banker can be the recipient of a bonus for good banking. You'll notice the connection between recipient and receive. In order to be a recipient you have to receive something, whether it's a prize or just a letter in the mail. If it's true that it's better to give than to receive, does that mean it's better to be a giver than a recipient?
Vocabulary lists containing recipient
Academy Awards, List 1
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
This Week In Words: March 29–April 4, 2020
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
English Words Derived from French, List 2
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
It remained effective even when the immune characteristics of donor cells did not match those of the recipient.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026
The other option is to shift the recipient of the compliment by acknowledging the help of others by adding, “Our local suppliers are a big help,” or “It was a pleasure to serve you.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2026
The Norwegian Nobel Committee on Friday announced that Pillay, who once sat on the ICC, was this year's recipient of the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize.
From Barron's ● Oct. 10, 2026
As a recipient of funding under the Chips and Science Act, the memory-chip maker’s stock repurchases have been restricted over the past two years, but those limitations will ease in December.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 6, 2026
I told Mimi we must try not to think about you, and yet here I am choosing you as the recipient of all my secrets.
From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler
Social Security recipients will get a 3.6% raise for 2027, a bigger-than-average bump as energy prices continue to fuel inflation.
From Barron's ● Oct. 14, 2026
At the later follow-up, data were available for 40 participants, including all 23 CBL-514 recipients and 17 placebo recipients.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026
Much subsequent conversation has focused on whether companies that receive tariff refunds would cut prices, but some recipients have told investors that portions will go toward promotions and brand investments.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026
Olympic triathlon champion Alistair Brownlee, from Dewsbury, was also among recipients at the investiture.
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026
If I extended the radius another two dozen blocks or so, I’d take in numerous other Pulitzer recipients, as well as the chief justice of the U.S.
From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
