reception
/rɪˈsɛpʃ(ə)n
/noun
1 [mass noun] The action or process of receiving something sent, given, or inflicted: sensation is not the passive reception of stimuli...
- Seeing a painting is not a matter of passive reception but requires a synthetic act in which we unite and bring together many different aspects.
- On the other hand, through acts of charity, prayer and reception of the sacraments we can increase our share of grace.
- The Church continues to insist that explicit faith, reception of the sacraments, and obedience to the Church are the ordinary means to salvation.
Synonyms
receipt, receiving, getting, acceptance
rare recipience
1.1 [count noun] The way in which a person or group of people reacts to someone or something: the election budget got a stony reception in the City...
- Motorists in York gave Government plans to introduce ‘pay as you drive’ charges a lukewarm reception.
- Plans for the Commonhead flyover and Blunsdon bypass were given a lukewarm reception when they were unveiled yesterday.
- But his comments were given a lukewarm reception by his fellow priests.
Synonyms
response, reaction, treatment;
acknowledgement, recognition
1.2The process of receiving broadcast signals: a microchip that will allow parents to block reception of violent programmes...
- December 12, 2001 marks the centenary of the first broadcast and reception of a radio signal across a distance.
- Several digital receivers capable of HD Radio reception are available to consumers.
- They claimed aerials could interfere with TV and radio reception and ruin the appearance of the area.
1.3The quality of broadcast signals received: I had to put up with poor radio reception...
- However, digital radio technology is still rather hit and miss, and some small sets struggle to deliver decent sound quality because of poor reception, so try to listen before buying.
- The other controls work well, though lovers of British premiership football will hate the poor reception on MW radio stations such as BBC Five Live.
- Digital radio broadcasting offers the potential for vast improvements in signal quality and reception.
1.4 American Football An act of catching a pass: his 49 receptions included six touchdowns...
- His 96-yard touchdown reception against the Raiders in the 2000 playoffs is an NFL record.
- Three plays later, Trent Green hit Eddie Kennison for a 15-yard touchdown reception.
- During that six-year period, the five wide receivers who led the Cowboys in catching had 372 receptions for 5,576 yards and 22 touchdowns.
2 [mass noun] The action of admitting someone to a place, group, or institution or the process of being admitted: their reception into the Church...
- For a long time he has been a regular worshipper at Mass with his family and in recent months he has been following a programme of formation to prepare for his reception into full communion.
- On reception into prison, the man gave an address in Leicester, where he said he had been living with an unnamed friend.
- The priest shall be known as a Postulant until his reception into the Fraternity.
2.1The formal or ceremonious welcoming of a guest: his reception by the Prime Minister...
- Nic, when that team goes in on Monday, is there going to be some sort of formal reception to meet them, or it is going to be an awkward moment?
- Seldom have we seen a crowd as large at that which had gathered at Grattan Square, the focal point of the official reception and welcome.
- A more formal arrival reception took place Friday morning at Rodney Bay Marina.
Synonyms
greeting, welcome, welcoming, entertaining
2.2 [count noun] A formal social occasion held to welcome someone or to celebrate an event: a wedding reception...
- It comes amid growing anger about the year-round use of fireworks which now light up the sky to mark the New Year, wedding receptions, birthday celebrations and during religious, sporting and other festivals.
- It is available for hire for wedding receptions and other events.
- They also make for an attractive setting for special events such as wedding receptions.
Synonyms
(formal) party, function, social occasion, social event, entertainment, soirée, gathering, get-together, celebration;
North American levee
informal do, bash
British informal rave-up, thrash, knees-up, jolly, beanfeast, bunfight, beano
3chiefly British The area in a hotel or organization where guests and visitors are greeted and dealt with: wait for me downstairs in reception [as modifier]: the reception desk...
- A large pink panther, a yellow and green felt parrot hanging from the ceiling and a blue-and-white teddy greet visitors at the reception desk.
- Original art goes everywhere in the hotel, from the reception desk to the guest rooms.
- It is a trauma hospital complete with the sights and sounds of a reception area dealing with all manner of emergencies.
4 [usually as modifier] British The first class in an infant school: the reception class...
- But Southfield Park Primary School's reception class is already up and running, working together in a purpose-built block on the site in Long Grove Road.
- The consequences of this are apparent in the nursery and reception classes in our schools, where children are being pressed to conform in ways that go against all sense of good practice in the early years.
- The nursery and reception classes do very well and children with special educational needs are achieving a very good standard.
Origin
Late Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin receptio(n-), from the verb recipere (see receive).