- [uncountable] (especially British English) the area inside the entrance of a hotel, an office building, etc. where guests or visitors go first when they arrive
- Please report to reception on arrival.
- You can leave a message with reception.
- the reception area
- in reception We arranged to meet in reception at 6.30.
- at reception I've left the keys at reception.
- on reception I've been on reception (= working there) the whole morning.
- (North American English, British English) the reception desk
Extra ExamplesTopics Holidaysa2, Working lifea2- All delegates should report to reception on arrival.
- Please wait for me downstairs in reception.
- The documents are in reception.
- The man at reception says there's a call for you.
- For more information, please contact the reception desk.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverb + reception- report to
- call
- call down to
- …
- area
- lobby
- counter
- …
- at reception
- at the reception
- in reception
- …
Definitions on the go
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- [countable] a formal social occasion to welcome somebody or celebrate something
- Are you having a big reception after the wedding?
- reception for somebody They held a reception for the Japanese trade delegation at the White House.
- The reception was held at the Swallow Hotel.
- They hosted a reception for 75 guests.
- We met at a reception.
Extra ExamplesTopics Life stagesb1- The hall is a popular venue for wedding receptions.
- They were among dozens of guests who attended a White House reception to thank donors to the president's election campaign.
- The opening reception of the exhibition was attended by many well-known figures from the art world.
- Friends and family are invited to a reception after the ceremony.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- big
- large
- lavish
- …
- attend
- give
- have
- …
- room
- at a/the reception
- reception for
- [singular] the type of welcome that is given to somebody/something
- reception from somebody The reception from critics and audiences was at best lukewarm
- The band got a rapturous reception from the crowd.
- Her latest album has met with a mixed reception from fans.
- reception by somebody the book's reception by reviewers
- Delegates gave him a warm reception as he called for more spending on education.
Extra Examples- She was given a rapturous reception by the crowd.
- The managers did not expect a sympathetic reception from the striking workers.
- The plan has had a somewhat mixed reception from local people.
- The returning soldiers enjoyed a rousing reception.
- a cool reception from the crowd
- critical reception to a movie
- the positive reception to the Chancellor's speech
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- enthusiastic
- favourable/favorable
- friendly
- …
- enjoy
- get
- have
- …
- party
- centre/center
- reception by
- reception from
- reception into
- …
- [uncountable] the quality of radio and television signals that are broadcast
- good/bad reception
- There was very poor reception on my phone.
- Television reception is very good in this area.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- good
- strong
- bad
- …
- [uncountable] the act of receiving or welcoming somebody
- The locals provided facilities for the reception of children from the war zone.
Extra Examples- A reception party of soldiers was there to greet the visiting head of state.
- reception into the monastic order
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- enthusiastic
- favourable/favorable
- friendly
- …
- enjoy
- get
- have
- …
- party
- centre/center
- reception by
- reception from
- reception into
- …
- [uncountable] (also reception class [countable])(in England and Wales) the first class at school for children aged 4 or 5
- My son is in reception.
- (in American football ) an act of catching the ball when it is thrown forward
- The quarterback found him for a 22-yard touchdown reception.
Word Originlate Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin receptio(n-), from the verb recipere, from re- ‘back’ + capere ‘take’.
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reception