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

Around 16,000 fans packed into the Manchester arena bought into the Itauma buzz, greeting him with a warm roar as he was walked to the ring by British rapper Meekz.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

From slipping on his tux to greeting celebs on the red carpet, here are the highlights.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

His official biography on the Downing Street website says apart from rodent control: "Larry spends his days greeting guests to the house, inspecting security defences and testing antique furniture for napping quality."

From Barron's • Feb. 15, 2026

“My brother, how I’ve missed you,” Aunt Kate announced dramatically, descending from the train’s rear platform and greeting Mr. Pinkerton’s party as it reached the sleeping car.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan

Related Words

• hello
• nod
• ovation
• reception
• salute