reception

American  

[ri-sep-shuhn] / rɪˈsɛp ʃən /

noun

• receptions
  plural

1. the act of receiving or the state of being received.

2. a manner of being received.

   The book met with a favorable reception.

   Synonyms:

   treatment, reaction, response

3. a function or occasion when persons are formally received.

   a wedding reception.

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

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reception British  

/ rɪˈsɛpʃən /

noun

1. the act of receiving or state of being received

2. the manner in which something, such as a guest or a new idea, is received

   a cold reception

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

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

5. short for reception room

6. the quality or fidelity of a received radio or television broadcast

   the reception was poor

7. 1. the first class in an infant school

   2. a class in a school designed to receive new immigrants, esp those whose knowledge of English is poor

   3. ( as modifier )

      a reception teacher

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonreception
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• receptions
  plural

Etymology

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

Explanation

Reception is the act of receiving, or getting something, or the way it is received. If your book receives a positive reception, it means people receive it well. In other words, they like it. A reception can also be a party, such as a wedding reception. A reception area is an office waiting room where visitors are greeted and the receptionist sits. Reception can also refer to the quality of a broadcast signal, as received by a TV or radio. Good reception means a clear, strong signal, and poor reception means you might want to shake or kick the TV screen. A reception is also the act of catching the ball in American football.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

reception receptions

His longest reception went for 17 yards and helped set up a field goal.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 22, 2026

Two years later, in 2023, he presented it again to a very different reception.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

Its Back to School Bonus was offered as a one-off payment of up to £150 towards uniforms,  stationery and other essentials for children from reception to Year 11 for families which earn less than £75,000.

From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026

“The reception was overly optimistic and creates expectations that we believe will be difficult to meet,” Graybosch wrote.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 20, 2026

He watched as she rushed over to the reception table.

From "Shooting Kabul" by N. H. Senzai

Last season, Wright played for Ole Miss, leading the team’s tight ends in receptions and touchdowns for then-coach Lane Kiffin.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026

The 6-foot, 220-pound North Carolina product gained 737 yards from scrimmage and had five touchdowns in 156 touches — 124 rushes and 32 receptions.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026

KeAndre Lambert-Smith had four of the Chargers’ nine receptions in the first half, but a fifth would have been really impressive.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026

Obrokta’s son, a starter, had 18 receptions for 185 yards.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 28, 2026

To my ii embassy receptions, my Philharmonie concerts, my nightly rounds at the Felsenkeller.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

Related Words

• encounter
• gathering
• greeting
• meeting
• reaction
• receiving
• response
• welcome