receive

[ri-seev]

See more synonyms for receive on Thesaurus.com

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.

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

Related formsin·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

Synonyms for receive

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11. admit, entertain, welcome.

Antonyms for receive

1. give.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for receive

draw, earn, secure, get, win, make, seize, obtain, accept, pocket, collect, hear, take, hold, reap, gain, suffer, undergo, welcome, introduce

Examples 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.”
Exposed: The Gay-Bashing Pastor’s Same-Sex Assault
M.L. Nestel
December 21, 2014
The defense team expects to receive all of the documents and evidence in the coming week.
The Strange Case of the Christian Zionist Terrorist
Creede Newton
December 14, 2014
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 Macallan
December 10, 2014
This week, on December 10th, Human Rights Day, she will receive the Nobel Prize—the youngest person ever to be honored.
Promoting Girls’ Education Isn’t Enough: Malala Can Do More
Paula Kweskin
December 9, 2014
Perhaps this year, the old saying should be amended to: to share is better than to receive.
One of a Kind Gifts Are Only a Neighbor Away
Lawrence Ferber
December 8, 2014

Historical Examples of receive

“We hoped to receive counsel from our uncle at Hyde,” added Ambrose.
The Armourer's Prentices
Charlotte M. Yonge
Perhaps it is hard to receive it in such a way, but I can have it.
Malbone
Thomas Wentworth Higginson
I forgive you, if you are sorry for the fault, and my arms are ready to receive you.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. 327
Various
All laws to secure these ends will receive my best efforts for their enforcement.
United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches
Various
On his return he addressed, by their request, the people gathered to receive him.
The Grand Old Man
Richard B. Cook

British Dictionary definitions for receive

receive

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

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.