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receiving line

American

noun

a row formed by the hosts, guests of honor, or the like, for receiving guests formally at a ball, reception, etc.

Etymology

Origin of receiving line

An Americanism dating back to 1930–35

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.

There is a red carpet, a receiving line and everything you’ll see at the Oscars or the Emmys.

From Salon • Apr. 26, 2025

The Queen will attend the state banquet on Tuesday but will take a short break beforehand while guests are met in a receiving line.

From BBC • Dec. 2, 2024

Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui also shook hands with other officials in a receiving line at the train station.

From Reuters • Sep. 12, 2023

He said a photograph showing him with Carroll and both of their spouses at an event in 1987 was apparently an unmemorable encounter on a receiving line.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 18, 2023

One day a few years earlier, Barack and I had stood, hosting a receiving line together with her and Prince Philip.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023