receive

[ ri-seev ]

verb (used with object)

, re·ceived, re·ceiv·ing.

1. to take into one's possession (something offered or delivered):

   to receive many gifts.

   Antonyms: give

2. to have (something) bestowed, conferred, etc.:

   to receive an honorary degree.

3. to have delivered or brought to one:

   to receive a letter.

4. to get or be informed of:

   to receive instructions;

   to receive news.

5. to be burdened with; sustain:

   to receive a heavy load.

6. to hold, bear, or contain:

   The nut receives a bolt and a washer.

   The plaster receives the impression of the mold.

7. to take into the mind; apprehend mentally:

   to receive an idea.

8. to accept from another by hearing or listening:

   A priest received his confession.

9. to meet with; experience:

   to receive attention.

10. to suffer the injury of:

    He received a terrific blow on the forehead.

11. to be at home to (visitors):

    They received their neighbors on Sunday.

    Synonyms: welcome, entertain, admit

12. to greet or welcome (guests, visitors, etc.) upon arriving:

    They received us at the front door.

13. to admit (a person) to a place:

    The butler received him and asked him to wait in the drawing room.

14. to admit into an organization, membership, etc.:

    to receive someone into the group.

15. to accept as authoritative, valid, true, or approved:

    a principle universally received.

16. 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.

1. to receive something.
2. to receive visitors or guests.
3. Radio. to convert incoming electromagnetic waves into the original signal.
4. to receive the Eucharist:

   He receives every Sunday.

receive

/ rɪˈsiːv /

verb

1. to take (something offered) into one's hand or possession
2. to have (an honour, blessing, etc) bestowed
3. to accept delivery or transmission of (a letter, telephone call, etc)
4. to be informed of (news or information)
5. to hear and consent to or acknowledge (an oath, confession, etc)
6. (of a vessel or container) to take or hold (a substance, commodity, or certain amount)
7. to support or sustain (the weight of something); bear
8. to apprehend or perceive (ideas, etc)
9. to experience, undergo, or meet with

   to receive a crack on the skull

10. also intr to be at home to (visitors)
11. to greet or welcome (visitors or guests), esp in formal style
12. to admit (a person) to a place, society, condition, etc

    he was received into the priesthood

13. to accept or acknowledge (a precept or principle) as true or valid
14. to convert (incoming radio signals) into sounds, pictures, etc, by means of a receiver
15. also intr tennis to play at the other end from the server; be required to return (service)
16. also intr to partake of (the Christian Eucharist)
17. intr to buy and sell stolen goods

Other Words From

• inter·re·ceive verb (used with object) interreceived interreceiving
• nonre·ceiving adjective
• prere·ceive verb (used with object) prereceived prereceiving
• unre·ceiving adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of receive¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English receven, from Old North French receivre, from Latin recipere, equivalent to re- re- + -cipere, combining form of capere “to take”

Word History and Origins

Origin of receive¹

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

Example Sentences

He called to receive financial advice on tax implications, then had a chat with his father.

From Washington Post

Individuals who register for this free event can receive a downloadable affirmations journal and a Valentine’s Day card.

From Washington Blade

Wyden has also said in a statement that families that had received the first two payments would expect a third.

From Washington Post

He said he had received grass-roots donations from people in all 67 counties of Pennsylvania and all 50 states.

From Washington Post

After agreeing to pay cuts last year, players will receive 100 percent of their salaries and bonuses in 2021.

From Washington Post

Specifically, what briefing did the flight crew receive before they went to the airplane?

From The Daily Beast

They will still receive a salary if something is to happen to Ziad, but she is trying to make sure she saves as much as possible.

From The Daily Beast

The younger man rolled down his window to receive the approaching Williams “to see what he wanted.”

From The Daily Beast

The defense team expects to receive all of the documents and evidence in the coming week.

From The Daily Beast

And I was lucky enough to receive an invitation to stay at Easter Elchies House, the spiritual home at The Macallan.

From The Daily Beast

The Authorised Version has: “And as a mother shall she meet him, and receive him as a wife married of a virgin.”

From Project Gutenberg

General Lachambre, as the hero of Cavite, followed to receive the applause which was everywhere showered upon him in Spain.

From Project Gutenberg

The wisdom of a scribe cometh by his time of leisure: and he that is less in action, shall receive wisdom.

From Project Gutenberg

Then both the partners laughed together—pleasantly and cheerfully, as men who are going to receive money, often do.

From Project Gutenberg

Various matters mentioned by the governor receive perfunctory and formal answers.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• accept
• collect
• draw
• earn
• gain
• get
• hear
• hold
• make
• obtain
• pick up
• pocket
• reap
• secure
• seize
• take
• take in
• win

How Do You Spell Receive?

Spelling tips for receive

The word receive is hard to spell for two reasons. First, it can be hard to remember if the [ s] sound is spelled with a c or an s. Second, the order of the middle vowels can be tricky. Is it ei or ie? 

How to spell receive: When you receive something you want to C (see) it. This reminds you that it is spelled with a c, not an s. To remember the order of the vowels, keep in mind the classic mnemonic device: I before E except after C. Since receive is spelled with a C, the E goes before the I.