reception

[ri-sep-shuhn]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR reception ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act of receiving or the state of being received.

a manner of being received: The book met with a favorable reception.

a function or occasion when persons are formally received: a wedding reception.

the quality or fidelity attained in receiving radio or television broadcasts under given circumstances.

Origin of reception

1350–1400; Middle English recepcion < Latin receptiōn- (stem of receptiō), equivalent to recept(us) (past participle of recipere to receive) + -iōn- -ion

Related formsnon·re·cep·tion, noun

Synonyms for reception

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR reception ON THESAURUS.COM

2. response, reaction, treatment.

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

Related Words for reception

reaction, gathering, welcome, greeting, receiving, meeting, response, encounter, function, soiree, buffet, dinner, supper, introduction, admission, receipt, accession, acquisition, disposition, salutation

Examples from the Web for reception

Contemporary Examples of reception

She actually petted Kate's arm when she met her at a reception last night.
LeBron's Touchy Feely Protocol Breach
Tom Sykes
December 9, 2014
How has the Guardians reception been so far from your perspective?
Gangster in Paradise: Benicio Del Toro Is Pablo Escobar
Alex Suskind
September 12, 2014
A local Dad joked sotto voce to his wife “And afterwards there will be a reception who will be in the auditorium!”
The Problem With Weird Al’s ‘Word Crimes’ Video
John McWhorter
July 23, 2014
The report helpfully adds that “speeches were made at the reception.”
North Korea's Birthday Wishes To The Queen
Tom Sykes
June 18, 2014
Obvious Child is not “the abortion movie” that its own marketing and reception might lead you to anticipate.
Why Deny the Obvious: Hollywood’s Backward Stance on Abortion
Teo Bugbee
June 10, 2014

Historical Examples of reception

Mrs. Morgan gave Robert a reception as warm as her husband had done.
Brave and Bold
Horatio Alger
He could assure them they felt highly flattered at the reception which had been accorded them.
Explorations in Australia
John Forrest
The preparations for our reception at Adelaide were most elaborate.
Explorations in Australia
John Forrest
He was altogether unprepared for the reception which the lily received.
Ester Ried Yet Speaking
Isabella Alden
Becket could hardly have been prepared for the manner of his reception.
Cameos from English History, from Rollo to Edward II
Charlotte Mary Yonge

British Dictionary definitions for reception

reception

noun

the act of receiving or state of being received

the manner in which something, such as a guest or a new idea, is receiveda cold reception

a formal party for guests, such as one after a wedding

an area in an office, hotel, etc, where visitors or guests are received and appointments or reservations dealt with

short for reception room

the quality or fidelity of a received radio or television broadcastthe reception was poor

British

the first class in an infant school
a class in a school designed to receive new immigrants, esp those whose knowledge of English is poor
(as modifier)a reception teacher

Word Origin for reception

C14: from Latin receptiō a receiving, from recipere to receive

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 reception

late 14c., in astrology, "effect of two planets on each other;" sense of "act of receiving" is recorded from late 15c., from Latin receptionem (nominative receptio) "a receiving," noun of action from past participle stem of recipere (see receive). Sense of "ceremonial gathering" is 1882, from French.