[re.cep.tion] n [ME recepcion, fr. MF or L; MF reception, fr. L reception-, receptio, fr. recipere] (15c) 1: the act or action or an instance of receiving: as a: receipt "the ~ and distribution of funds" b: admission "~ into the church" c: response, reaction "the play met with a mixed ~" d: the receiving of a radio or television broadcast e: the catching of a forward pass by a receiver
2: a social gathering often for the purpose of extending a formal welcome