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acceptance

American  
[ak-sep-tuhns, ik-] / ækˈsɛp təns, ɪk- /

noun

  1. the act of taking or receiving something offered.

  2. favorable reception; approval; favor.

  3. the act of assenting or believing.

    acceptance of a theory.

  4. the fact or state of being accepted or acceptable.

  5. acceptation.

  6. Commerce.

    1. an engagement to pay an order, draft, or bill of exchange when it becomes due, as by the person on whom it is drawn.

    2. an order, draft, etc., that a person or bank has accepted as calling for payment and has thus promised to pay.


acceptance British  
/ əkˈsɛptəns /

noun

  1. the act of accepting or the state of being accepted or acceptable

  2. favourable reception; approval

  3. (often foll by of) belief (in) or assent (to)

  4. commerce

    1. a formal agreement by a debtor to pay a draft, bill, etc

    2. the document so accepted Compare bank acceptance

  5. (plural) a list of horses accepted as starters in a race

  6. contract law words or conduct by which a person signifies his assent to the terms and conditions of an offer or agreement

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of acceptance

First recorded in 1565–75; accept + -ance

Explanation

Acceptance is taking something given to you. You might be relieved by your friend's acceptance of your apology for accidentally riding your bike over his foot. An acceptance of someone or something is also an indication that you approve of or believe in it (or them). If you dye your hair green and wear a suit made of bear fur, gaining your grandmother’s acceptance may prove difficult if she's a conservative dresser and an animal lover. In legal terms acceptance is language signifying consent to the terms of an offer, leading to the creation of a contract.

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Vocabulary lists containing acceptance

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.

Acceptance of robots on sidewalks is much higher in L.A. because it had them earlier.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026

Acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals dipped in 2024 for the first time in nine years.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 9, 2026

As we observe Autism Acceptance Month, now is not the time to cut funding for vital research projects like mine and countless others that have measurable impacts on families.

From Salon • Apr. 24, 2025

Made in the course of 24 hours, Acceptance, or I Cannot Come Again, explores the loss of one art, and the acceptance of another.

From BBC • Jun. 19, 2024

Acceptance, in her eyes, was simply another means for survival.

From "Farewell to Manzanar" by Jeanne Houston

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