ENGLISH
REFERENCE

reception

n. C / U
A2 Elementary Oxford US //ɹiˈsɛpʃən// UK //ɹɪsˈɛpʃən// re·cep·tion General-service

n. the place in a hotel, office, or hospital where you go when you first arrive. It is also the way people react to an idea or a performance.

n. the area in a commercial or public building where visitors are greeted and dealt with; additionally, the quality of response or welcome given to a person or idea.


SIMPLE

Please check in at the reception desk.

CONTEXTUAL

The new policy received a warm reception from the staff, who appreciated the extra flexibility.

COMPLEX

While the physical reception area was elegantly designed to impress clients, the critical reception of the firm's annual report was significantly less favourable.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English recepcion, reception, from Middle French reception, from Latin receptiōn- (“the act of receiving; reception”), from recipiō (“receive”), from re- (“back”) + capiō (“to hold”). Equivalent to receive + -tion.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the quality of a signal or a general welcome; countable when referring to a specific social event or a physical desk.

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