receive

[ ri-seev ]

/ rɪˈsiv /

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See synonyms for: receive / received / receives / receiving 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.

OTHER WORDS FOR receive

11 admit, entertain, welcome.

See synonyms for receive on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR receive

1 give.

See antonyms for receive on Thesaurus.com

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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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

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use receive in a sentence

What we don’t know is how many people have received those notifications.
A covid-fighting tool is buried in your phone. Turn it on.|Geoffrey Fowler|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
It received responses from 76 countries that include Turkey, Thailand and Russia.
Global study finds pandemic exacerbates inequities for trans people|Kaela Roeder|November 20, 2020|Washington Blade
Half of the participants in Pfizer’s trial received two doses of the study vaccine, and half received two shots of saline.
Pfizer and BioNTech will seek regulatory clearance of their coronavirus vaccine|Carolyn Y. Johnson|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
Nearly $40 million in funds will go toward helping people who are uninsured or underinsured receive vaccines.
Virginia’s coronavirus numbers are rising. Here’s what you need to know.|Antonio Olivo|November 20, 2020|Washington Post

We’ve received well over 10,000 questions, and we’ve endeavored to answer as many as possible.
D.C.’s coronavirus numbers are rising. Here’s what you need to know.|Julie Zauzmer|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
Because Duck Dynasty receives monster TV ratings and Robertson paid by a company (A&E) while making these public statements.
Butts, Brawls, and Bill Cosby: The Biggest Celebrity Scandals of 2014 |Kevin Fallon|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On the day of the AFI dinner, Hitchcock receives a wire from Frank Capra, who is in Palm Springs.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
According to a ticket seller who spoke to The Guardian, the site still receives only 10 visitors a day, on average.
Egypt Ain’t The Only Pyramid Show In Town|Nina Strochlic|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Afghanistan artist who designed the cards receives a royalty on all packages sold.
The Daily Beast’s 2014 Holiday Gift Guide: For the Angelina Jolie in Your Life|Allison McNearney|November 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He often receives inquiries from sellers eager to verify that their items are authentic.
Dismembering History: The Shady Online Trade in Ancient Texts|Candida Moss|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A splendid grand piano stands in one window (he receives a new one every year).
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
Each has his "natural liberty," and each in his degree, great or small, receives his allotted reward.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
But suppose that the consumer, for the things which he himself makes and sells, or for the work which he performs, receives more?
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
Whilst I am by nature optimistic, I must confess that in these latter days my optimism occasionally receives a shock.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow
This is still the attitude of one who receives a degree at Cambridge from the Vice-chancellor.
Chaucer's Works, Volume 1 (of 7) -- Romaunt of the Rose; Minor Poems|Geoffrey Chaucer

British Dictionary definitions for receive

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

receive

OTHER WORDS FOR receive

OPPOSITES FOR receive

Origin of receive

OTHER WORDS FROM receive

Words related to receive

How to use receive in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for receive

Word Origin for receive