/ rɪˈsiːv; NAmE / verb
GET / ACCEPT
1.
[ vn ] receive sth (from sb/sth) (rather formal ) to get or accept sth that is sent or given to you :
to receive a letter / present / phone call
to receive information / payment / thanks
He received an award for bravery from the police service.
TREATMENT / INJURY
2.
[ vn ] receive sth (from sb) to experience or be given a particular type of treatment or an injury :
We received a warm welcome from our hosts.
Emergency cases will receive professional attention immediately.
to receive severe injuries
REACT TO STH
3.
[ vn ] [ usually passive ] receive sth (with sth) to react to sth new, in a particular way :
The play was well received by the critics.
The statistics were received with concern.
GUESTS
4.
[ vn ] [ often passive ] receive sb (with sth) | receive sb (as sth) ( formal ) to welcome or entertain a guest, especially formally :
He was received as an honoured guest at the White House.
AS MEMBER OF STH
5.
[ vn ] receive sb (into sth) to officially recognize and accept sb as a member of a group :
Three young people were received into the Church at Easter.
TV / RADIO
6.
[ vn ] to change broadcast signals into sounds or pictures on a television, radio, etc. :
to receive programmes via satellite
7.
[ vn ] to be able to hear a radio message that is being sent by sb :
I'm receiving you loud and clear.
STOLEN GOODS
8.
[ vn , v ] ( especially BrE ) to buy or accept goods that you know have been stolen
IN SPORT
9.
( in tennis , etc. ) to be the player that the server hits the ball to :
[ v ]
She won the toss and chose to receive.
[also vn ]
•
IDIOMS
- be at / on the receiving end (of sth)
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Anglo-Norman French receivre , based on Latin recipere , from re- back + capere take.