Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of receiving or being received: The action of accepting or taking in something that is given, sent, or communicated.
   • A social function to welcome or entertain guests: A formal or informal party held to greet or honor someone.
   • The quality of a received broadcast signal: The degree to which a radio, television, or other signal is clearly received.
   • (In American football) The act of catching a forward pass: The action by an offensive player of legally catching a thrown ball.
   • The manner in which something is greeted or responded to: The way in which an idea, performance, or person is initially met or accepted.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The hotel lobby is for the reception of guests. (The hotel lobby is for welcoming guests.)
  • They held a wedding reception in the garden. (They held a wedding party in the garden.)
  • The radio reception is poor in this valley. (The quality of the radio signal is poor in this valley.)
  • The quarterback threw a pass for a 15-yard reception. (The quarterback threw a pass that was caught for a 15-yard gain.)
  • The new policy met with a mixed reception from the public. (The new policy was greeted with a mixed response from the public.)

Advanced Usage

• "to give someone a warm/cold reception": To welcome someone in a very friendly or unfriendly manner.
  • The delegation was given a warm reception by the local community.
• "reception area/desk": The place in a building where visitors are first received and dealt with.
  • Please sign in at the reception desk.

Variants and Related Words

• Receive (verb): To be given, presented with, or paid something.
• Receptive (adjective): Willing to consider or accept new suggestions and ideas.
• Receptionist (noun): A person who greets and deals with visitors and clients in an office or other establishment.
• Reception room (noun): A room in a house used for entertaining guests; a living room or parlor.

Synonyms

• Welcome: An instance or manner of greeting someone.
• Response: A reaction to something.
• Party: A social gathering of invited guests.
• Catch (in sports): The act of catching a ball.

Related Phrases

• Reception center: A place providing temporary accommodation and support for new arrivals, such as refugees.
• Reception history: The study of how a text, idea, or artwork has been received and interpreted over time.
• Reception theory: A version of reader-response literary theory that emphasizes the reader's role in creating meaning.

Idioms

• A cool reception: A greeting or response that is not very friendly or enthusiastic.
  • His proposal got a cool reception from the committee.
• To be in reception: To be at the front desk area of a hotel or office.
  • I'll be in reception waiting for you at 3 p.m.

Noun

1. (American football) the act of catching a pass in football
   • the tight end made a great reception on the 20 yard line
2. the act of receiving
3. quality or fidelity of a received broadcast
4. a formal party of people; as after a wedding
5. the manner in which something is greeted
   • she did not expect the cold reception she received from her superiors