receive
- 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.
- 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.
Origin of receive
Synonyms for receive
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comAntonyms for receive
Related Words for receive
draw, earn, secure, get, win, make, seize, obtain, accept, pocket, collect, hear, take, hold, reap, gain, suffer, undergo, welcome, introduceExamples from the Web for receive
Contemporary Examples of receive
The younger man rolled down his window to receive the approaching Williams “to see what he wanted.”
The defense team expects to receive all of the documents and evidence in the coming week.
And I was lucky enough to receive an invitation to stay at Easter Elchies House, the spiritual home at The Macallan.
A Whisky Connoisseur Remembers That First Sip of The MacallanDecember 10, 2014
This week, on December 10th, Human Rights Day, she will receive the Nobel Prize—the youngest person ever to be honored.
Perhaps this year, the old saying should be amended to: to share is better than to receive.
Historical Examples of receive
“We hoped to receive counsel from our uncle at Hyde,” added Ambrose.
The Armourer's PrenticesCharlotte M. Yonge
Perhaps it is hard to receive it in such a way, but I can have it.
MalboneThomas Wentworth Higginson
I forgive you, if you are sorry for the fault, and my arms are ready to receive you.
All laws to secure these ends will receive my best efforts for their enforcement.
In the hour of triumph the government was doomed to receive a stunning blow.
The Grand Old ManRichard B. Cook
receive
- 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
Word Origin and History for receive
c.1300, from Old North French receivre (Old French recoivre) "seize, take hold of, pick up; welcome, accept," from Latin recipere "regain, take back, bring back, carry back, recover; take to oneself, take in, admit," from re- "back," though the exact sense here is obscure (see re-) + -cipere, comb. form of capere "to take" (see capable). Radio and (later) television sense is attested from 1908. Related: Received; receiving.