re ‧ cep ‧ tion W3 /rɪˈsepʃ ə n/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ receipt , receipts, ↑ receiver , ↑ reception , ↑ receivership , ↑ receiving , ↑ receptionist , ↑ receptor ; adjective : ↑ receptive ≠ UNRECEPTIVE , ↑ received ; verb : ↑ receive ]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: French ; Origin: Latin receptio , from recipere ; ⇨ ↑ receive ]
1 . WELCOME/REACTION [countable usually singular] a particular type of welcome for someone, or a particular type of reaction to their ideas, work etc ⇨ receive :
She was unsure of her reception after everything that had happened.
a warm/good/enthusiastic reception
The delegates gave him a warm reception.
a hostile/cool/frosty reception
His ideas met with a hostile reception.
receive/have/get/meet with a ... reception
He got a great reception from the crowd.
The plans received a mixed reception from unions (=some people liked them, others did not) .
2 . HOTEL/OFFICE [uncountable]
a) the desk or office where visitors arriving in a hotel or large organization go first:
Please leave your key at the reception desk.
I asked the man at reception.
b) British English the area around or in front of this desk or office SYN lobby :
I’ll wait for you in reception.
the reception area
3 . PARTY [countable] a large formal party to celebrate an event or to welcome someone:
It’s an ideal location for a wedding reception.
The occasion was marked by a civic reception.
4 . SIGNALS [uncountable] the act of receiving radio, television, or other signals, or the quality of signals you receive:
listeners complaining about poor reception
5 . FOOTBALL [countable] the act of catching the ball in American football
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COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 1)
■ adjectives
▪ a warm reception (=friendly or approving)
The Prince was given a warm reception when he visited Birmingham.
▪ an enthusiastic/rapturous/rousing reception (=in which people show a lot of approval in a noisy way)
She received an enthusiastic reception.
▪ a hostile reception
When reporters arrived at the house, they got a hostile reception.
▪ a cool/chilly/frosty reception (=not friendly or approving)
His idea got a cool reception from his colleagues.
▪ a lukewarm reception (=not enthusiastic)
I am bewildered by the lukewarm reception given to her latest album.
▪ a mixed reception (=when some people like something and some do not)
His first novel received a mixed reception.
▪ a favourable/positive reception
The movie got a favourable reception from audiences and critics alike.
■ verbs
▪ get/have a warm etc reception ( also receive a warm etc reception formal )
As he came on, Rocky got a great reception from the crowd.
▪ meet with a warm etc reception formal
They met with a chilly reception from my mother.
▪ give somebody/something a warm etc reception
Opposition parties gave the proposals a lukewarm reception.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 3)
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + reception
▪ a wedding reception
There were over 200 guests at our wedding reception.
▪ a civic reception (=one given by the authorities of a city)
The plaque was unveiled during a civic reception given at Glasgow City Chambers.
▪ a champagne reception
Tickets include a champagne reception and buffet supper.
▪ an official reception
After an official reception at the Embassy, they visited the White House.
▪ a formal reception
There will be a formal reception in honour of his life and work.
■ verbs
▪ attend a reception
We have to attend a reception at the Embassy.
▪ have/hold a reception
The wedding reception will be held at The Grand Hotel.