reception
noun
re·cep·tion
ri-ˈsep-shən 
1
2
: a social gathering often for the purpose of extending a formal welcome
Did you know?
Reception is the noun form of receive. So at a formal reception, guests are received or welcomed or "taken in". A bad TV reception means the signal isn't being received well. When a new novel receives good reviews, we say it has met with a good critical reception. If it gets a poor reception, on the other hand, that's the same as saying that it wasn't well-received.
Examples of reception in a Sentence
The school held a reception for the new students and their families.
He decided to run for a seat on the school committee only a year after his reception into the community.
Her job is to deal with the reception of donations.
Recent Examples on the Web
The parachutist descended from an overcast sky at the lavish 2017 wedding reception, as seen in videos posted online.
—
Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2025
Penry finished as Boise State’s leading receiver with 44 yards on five receptions.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 2 Nov. 2025
Canty finished with two receptions for 29 yards.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2025
McNichols has logged 10 receptions for 117 yards over his last three games.
—Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reception
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Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2025
Penry finished as Boise State’s leading receiver with 44 yards on five receptions.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 2 Nov. 2025
Canty finished with two receptions for 29 yards.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2025
McNichols has logged 10 receptions for 117 yards over his last three games.
—Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reception
Cite this Entry
“Reception.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reception. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reception
noun
re·cep·tion
ri-ˈsep-shən
1
: the act or process of receiving, welcoming, or accepting
a warm reception
2
: the receiving of a radio or television broadcast
3
: a social gathering
a wedding reception
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