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

As the product of the group that had just blown everyone’s minds with the release of “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” this holiday greeting makes absolute sense.

From Salon

That familiarity was evident as nearly every pedestrian waved or said hello, many greeting him like an old friend.

From Los Angeles Times

It's a multilingual country and the greeting inside - Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year - is in French, German, Flemish and English.

From BBC

By the time dinner was over, the last thing I wanted to do was return to the kitchen — which meant greeting the wreckage the next morning, bleary-eyed, just trying to make coffee.

From Salon

Thank you and season’s greetings to you and yours.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• hello
• nod
• ovation
• reception
• salute