# reception

/ɹiˈsɛpʃən/ (US) · /ɹɪsˈɛpʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/reception
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. hotel or office desk

noun · CEFR A2

the place in a hotel or office where you go when you first arrive.

For teachers: the area or desk in a commercial establishment where guests or clients are greeted and processed upon arrival.

- Please leave your room key at reception when you go out for the day.
- The visitor was asked to wait at the reception desk while the assistant notified the manager of his arrival.

### 2. signal quality

noun · CEFR B1

the quality of a radio, television, or mobile phone signal.

For teachers: the efficiency or clarity with which a device receives broadcast or telecommunication signals.

- I am sorry I missed your call; the phone reception is very poor in the mountains.
- The technician explained that the thick concrete walls of the basement were responsible for the intermittent television reception.

### 3. formal party

noun · CEFR B1

a formal social event or party to welcome someone or celebrate something.

For teachers: a formal social occasion held to welcome guests or celebrate a specific event, such as a wedding.

- The wedding reception was held in a beautiful garden near the lake.
- Following the keynote speech, the university hosted a formal reception where faculty members could interact with the visiting scholars.

### 4. reaction or welcome

noun · CEFR B2

the way people react to a new idea, book, or person.

For teachers: the manner in which something or someone is greeted or responded to by an audience.

- The author's new book got a very warm reception from the critics.
- The proposed policy changes met with a hostile reception from the local community during the town hall meeting.

### 5. first year of school

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

the first year of school for young children, before Year 1.

For teachers: the first year of primary school for children aged four to five, preceding Year 1.

- My daughter is starting reception this September and she is very excited.
- The curriculum in reception focuses heavily on social development and basic literacy through play-based learning.

Usage: Often used as a modifier, as in 'reception class' or 'reception teacher'.

### 6. catching a ball

noun · CEFR C1 · American English

the act of catching a pass in a game like American football.

For teachers: the successful catching of a forward pass by an eligible receiver.

- The wide receiver made a spectacular reception right on the touchline.
- He finished the season with over eighty receptions, breaking the previous franchise record for a rookie players in his position.

## Examples

- Please check in at the reception desk.
- The new policy received a warm reception from the staff, who appreciated the extra flexibility.
- While the physical reception area was elegantly designed to impress clients, the critical reception of the firm's annual report was significantly less favourable.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.