Definition

1. Verb:
   • To take or accept something that is given, sent, or communicated: The most common meaning, involving the act of getting something from someone else.
   • To experience or be subjected to something: To be the one to whom an action, feeling, or event happens.
   • To formally welcome or greet a guest or visitor: To act as a host to someone who arrives.
   • To react to something in a particular way: To regard or respond to something favorably or unfavorably.
   • To convert incoming signals into sound or pictures: A technical meaning related to electronics and communication.

Examples of Usage

• To take or accept something:
  • Did you receive my email?
  • She received a beautiful gift for her birthday.
• To experience or be subjected to:
  • He received a serious injury in the accident.
  • The plan received strong criticism from the public.
• To formally welcome a guest:
  • The ambassador will receive the delegates at the embassy.
• To react to something:
  • The new policy was poorly received by the staff.
• To convert signals:
  • The radio cannot receive signals in this valley.

Advanced Usage

• "to receive someone into something": To formally accept someone as a member of a group or organization.
  • She was received into the church as a full member.
• "to receive communion": To participate in the Christian sacrament of the Eucharist.
  • The congregation went forward to receive communion.

Variants and Related Words

• Receiver (n):
  • A person or thing that receives something.

    • The receiver of the award gave a heartfelt speech.
  • The part of a telephone that is held to the ear.
  • A piece of electronic equipment that receives broadcast signals.
• Receipt (n): A written acknowledgment that something has been received, especially a payment.
  • Please keep your receipt as proof of purchase.
• Reception (n):
  • The act of receiving.

    • The reception of the news was mixed.
  • A formal social event to welcome guests.

    • A wedding reception will follow the ceremony.
  • The quality of a broadcast signal.

    • The radio reception is terrible in the mountains.

Synonyms

• Get: To come into possession of.
• Obtain: To acquire something, often through effort.
• Accept: To take or receive something offered.
• Incur: To become subject to (something unwelcome, like a penalty).

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Receive back: To get something returned to you.
  • He received his manuscript back from the publisher with suggested edits.

Related Idioms

• On the receiving end: To be the person who is affected by an action, typically an unpleasant one.
  • He found himself on the receiving end of their anger.
• Receive with open arms: To welcome someone or something very warmly and enthusiastically.
  • The community received the refugees with open arms.

Verb

1. regard favorably or with disapproval
   • Her new collection of poems was not well received
2. partake of the Holy Eucharist sacrament
3. receive as a retribution or punishment
   • He got 5 years in prison
4. have or give a reception
   • The lady is receiving Sunday morning
5. experience as a reaction
   • My proposal met with much opposition
6. convert into sounds or pictures
   • receive the incoming radio signals
7. bid welcome to; greet upon arrival
8. accept as true or valid
   • He received Christ
9. express willingness to have in one's home or environs
   • The community warmly received the refugees
10. go through (mental or physical states or experiences)
    • get an idea
    • experience vertigo
    • get nauseous
    • receive injuries
    • have a feeling
11. register (perceptual input)
    • pick up a signal
12. receive a specified treatment (abstract)
    • These aspects of civilization do not find expression or receive an interpretation
    • His movie received a good review
    • I got nothing but trouble for my good intentions
13. get something; come into possession of
    • receive payment
    • receive a gift
    • receive letters from the front