Definition

Noun: A formal queue of people, typically the hosts and guests of honor at a social event like a wedding or official function, who stand in a fixed order to personally greet and welcome each arriving guest.

Usage

A "reception line" is a formal tradition at organized events where guests proceed past a series of hosts to be greeted individually. It is a structured way to ensure all guests are welcomed by key individuals.

Examples

• The newlyweds stood in the reception line for an hour to greet all their wedding guests.
• After the ceremony, the ambassador and other dignitaries formed a reception line in the main hall.
• Guests were asked to proceed through the reception line before entering the ballroom for dinner.

Advanced Usage

• "to form a reception line": To organize people into this formal greeting queue.
  • The hosts will form a reception line immediately following the award ceremony.
• "to go through the reception line": Describes the action of guests moving along the line to be greeted.
  • We went through the reception line to congratulate the guest of honor.

Variants and Related Words

• Receiving line: A synonymous term for "reception line," used interchangeably.
  • The couple formed a receiving line at the entrance.

Synonyms

• Greeting line
• Receiving line

Notes on Meaning

The term specifically refers to the line itself—the physical arrangement of people. It does not refer to the act of receiving a signal (like a phone or radio reception), which is a different meaning of the base word "reception."

Noun

1. a line of people (hosts and guests of honor) who welcome the guests at a reception party