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 firm’s performance has received mix reception from Oakland leaders.
—
Scott Lebar. Story Produced With Ai Assistance, Sacbee.com, 5 Apr. 2026
Gaines essentially replaces wide receiver Alex Perry, who transferred to Illinois after leading FIU last season in catches (56), reception yards (840) and reception touchdowns (nine).
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
Fans were quick to note the resemblance to Meghan's 2018 wedding reception gown.
—Katherine J Igoe, InStyle, 3 Apr. 2026
The White House is asking Congress to cut $5 billion from the National Institutes of Health and to downsize the number of its institutes and centers from 27 to 22 — a plan that is expected to receive a chilly reception from lawmakers from both parties.
—Megan Molteni, STAT, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reception
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Scott Lebar. Story Produced With Ai Assistance, Sacbee.com, 5 Apr. 2026
Gaines essentially replaces wide receiver Alex Perry, who transferred to Illinois after leading FIU last season in catches (56), reception yards (840) and reception touchdowns (nine).
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
Fans were quick to note the resemblance to Meghan's 2018 wedding reception gown.
—Katherine J Igoe, InStyle, 3 Apr. 2026
The White House is asking Congress to cut $5 billion from the National Institutes of Health and to downsize the number of its institutes and centers from 27 to 22 — a plan that is expected to receive a chilly reception from lawmakers from both parties.
—Megan Molteni, STAT, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reception
Cite this Entry
“Reception.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reception. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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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