receive

[ ri-seev ]

/ rɪˈsiv /

verb (used with object), re·ceived, re·ceiv·ing.

to take into one's possession (something offered or delivered): to receive many gifts.

to have (something) bestowed, conferred, etc.: to receive an honorary degree.

to have delivered or brought to one: to receive a letter.

to get or be informed of: to receive instructions; to receive news.

to be burdened with; sustain: to receive a heavy load.

to hold, bear, or contain: The nut receives a bolt and a washer. The plaster receives the impression of the mold.

to take into the mind; apprehend mentally: to receive an idea.

to accept from another by hearing or listening: A priest received his confession.

to meet with; experience: to receive attention.

to suffer the injury of: He received a terrific blow on the forehead.

to be at home to (visitors): They received their neighbors on Sunday.

to greet or welcome (guests, visitors, etc.) upon arriving: They received us at the front door.

to admit (a person) to a place: The butler received him and asked him to wait in the drawing room.

to admit into an organization, membership, etc.: to receive someone into the group.

to accept as authoritative, valid, true, or approved: a principle universally received.

to react to in the manner specified: to receive a proposal with contempt; She received the job offer with joy.

verb (used without object), re·ceived, re·ceiv·ing.

to receive something.

to receive visitors or guests.

Radio. to convert incoming electromagnetic waves into the original signal.

to receive the Eucharist: He receives every Sunday.

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?

Question 1 of 10

decorum

the act of or need for making up one's mind.

dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.

a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of receive

1250–1300; Middle English receven < Old North French receivre < Latin recipere, equivalent to re- re- + -cipere, combining form of capere to take

SYNONYMS FOR receive

11 admit, entertain, welcome.

ANTONYMS FOR receive

1 give.

OTHER WORDS FROM receive

in·ter·re·ceive, verb (used with object), in·ter·re·ceived, in·ter·re·ceiv·ing.non·re·ceiv·ing, adjectivepre·re·ceive, verb (used with object), pre·re·ceived, pre·re·ceiv·ing.un·re·ceiv·ing, adjective

Words nearby receive

recd., recede, receipt, receiptor, receivable, receive, received, received pronunciation, received standard, receiver, receiver general

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for non-receiving

receive

/ (rɪˈsiːv) /

verb (mainly tr)

to take (something offered) into one's hand or possession

to have (an honour, blessing, etc) bestowed

to accept delivery or transmission of (a letter, telephone call, etc)

to be informed of (news or information)

to hear and consent to or acknowledge (an oath, confession, etc)

(of a vessel or container) to take or hold (a substance, commodity, or certain amount)

to support or sustain (the weight of something); bear

to apprehend or perceive (ideas, etc)

to experience, undergo, or meet withto receive a crack on the skull

(also intr) to be at home to (visitors)

to greet or welcome (visitors or guests), esp in formal style

to admit (a person) to a place, society, condition, etche was received into the priesthood

to accept or acknowledge (a precept or principle) as true or valid

to convert (incoming radio signals) into sounds, pictures, etc, by means of a receiver

(also intr) tennis to play at the other end from the server; be required to return (service)

(also intr) to partake of (the Christian Eucharist)

(intr) mainly British to buy and sell stolen goods

Word Origin for receive

C13: from Old French receivre, from Latin recipere to take back, from re- + capere to take

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

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

receive

verb (used with object), re·ceived, re·ceiv·ing.

verb (used without object), re·ceived, re·ceiv·ing.

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

Origin of receive

SYNONYMS FOR receive

ANTONYMS FOR receive

OTHER WORDS FROM receive

Words nearby receive

British Dictionary definitions for non-receiving

verb (mainly tr)

Word Origin for receive