greeting

American  

[gree-ting] / ˈgri tɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or words of a person who greets. greet.

2. a friendly message from someone who is absent.

   a greeting from a friend in another country.

3. greetings, an expression of friendly or respectful regard.

   Send my greetings to your family.

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greeting British  

/ ˈɡriːtɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or an instance of welcoming or saluting on meeting

2. (often plural)

   1. an expression of friendly salutation

   2. ( as modifier )

      a greetings card

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Other Word Forms

• greetingless adjective

Etymology

Origin of greeting

before 900; Middle English, Old English gretinge. See greet ¹, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

He was waiting with colleagues in the back of the public meeting room during most of the afternoon, ready with friendly greetings for people as they passed by.

From Los Angeles Times

After a warm greeting, he told me that Pope Leo XIV was appointing me archbishop of New York.

From The Wall Street Journal

This time, before she vanished into the darkness, a spirit message was transmitted, “I am here to bid you greeting. The rappings shall still go on.”

From Literature

If Sun Girl yelled anything back, Duane was still too far away to hear it, but she did wave in greeting.

From Literature

It would be like greeting a long-lost friend, instead of a mountain full of metal, or just dirt.

From Literature

Related Words

• hello
• nod
• ovation
• reception
• salute