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

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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

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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

But that $7,500 doesn’t factor in reception costs, such as food and drinks, or renting tables and chairs.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026

But a film’s domestic reception, and to some extent, its international box office revenue, does play a role in the value of those downstream revenue opportunities, experts said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 12, 2026

The reception for “Digger” has come during a tough time for Warner Bros.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 12, 2026

City navigated the hostile reception awaiting them at Anfield by arriving through the staff and contractors' entrance - while an inevitable febrile environment awaited them.

From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026

Before they left the library, Nathan charged his phone and used the internet to update all his games as well as download new ones that didn’t require reception.

From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young

Kinda Ahmad-Reda has 71 receptions for 817 yards and 13 touchdowns with 74 flag pulls on defense.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 12, 2026

Nacua, the NFL receptions leader last season, will return to the lineup against the Eagles.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2026

Brooklyn Hedricks had 14 receptions for 193 yards and four touchdowns in victories over Oxnard and San Marcos.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 21, 2026

They have combined for 25 receptions, 277 yards and one score.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026

The meetings were wedged in among constant banquets and receptions, at which Ernest considered his attendance essential to forging a personal connection with his Russian counterparts.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

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Related Words

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• gathering
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• reaction
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