reception
rih-SEHP-shn
Reception (noun) means a formal social event, often to welcome or honor someone. Example: “The mayor hosted a reception at the town hall for the visiting students.”
noun
1
A formal social event, often to welcome or honor someone.
"The mayor hosted a reception at the town hall for the visiting students."
"After the concert, there was a small reception for the musicians and their families."
"They held a wedding reception at the hotel ballroom."
2
The desk or area where visitors are greeted in a business or hotel.
"The woman at reception handed me a visitor badge and pointed to the lifts."
"Leave your parcels at reception and someone will collect them this afternoon."
"Please check in at reception when you arrive."
3
The quality of a received broadcast signal.
"The radio has poor reception in our kitchen, so the music keeps crackling."
"Walk to the window if you want better reception on your phone."
"Cell phone reception is poor in the mountains."
4
The way something is responded to or welcomed by others.
"The new bus timetable received a warm reception from people living in the village."
"Her speech got a cool reception, and few people clapped at the end."
"The album got a mixed reception from critics."
How to use reception
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA welcome event, a front desk, a signal, or how something is received/reviewed.
UK vs US
In UK schools, "Reception" is also the name for the first year of primary school, before Year 1.
Common pairings
wedding reception
poor reception
a warm reception
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Word forms
- Plural
- receptions
Fill the gap
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The mayor hosted a _____ at the town hall for the visiting students.
Etymology
From Latin receptio ("act of receiving"), from recipio ("receive").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for reception
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for reception →
Frequently asked questions
What does “reception” mean?
The word “reception” means a formal social event, often to welcome or honor someone. In plain terms, a welcome event, a front desk, a signal, or how something is received/reviewed.
How do you pronounce “reception”?
“Reception” is pronounced rih-SEHP-shn (/ɹɪˈsɛp.ʃn̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “reception” in a sentence?
Here is “reception” used in a sentence: “They held a wedding reception at the hotel ballroom.”
What part of speech is “reception”?
“Reception” is a noun.
Where does the word “reception” come from?
The word “reception” comes from Latin. From Latin receptio ("act of receiving"), from recipio ("receive").
Is “reception” a common word?
“Reception” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “reception” have?
“Reception” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a formal social event, often to welcome or honor someone.
What is the difference between the two meanings of "reception"?
"Reception" can mean a formal social event held to welcome or honour someone, such as a wedding reception, or it can mean the desk or area where visitors are greeted in a business or hotel. The surrounding context shows which meaning applies.
What is a "wedding reception"?
A wedding reception is a formal social event held after a wedding ceremony to celebrate and honour the couple. It draws on the sense of reception as an event held to welcome or honour someone.
Where is the "reception" in a hotel?
In a hotel, the reception is the desk or area near the entrance where guests are greeted, check in, and ask for assistance. It is usually the first point of contact for visitors.
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