verb (used with object), re·ceived, re·ceiv·ing.
- to take into one’s possession (something offered or delivered): to receive many gifts.
- to have (something) bestowed, conferred, etc.: to receive an honorary degree.
- to have delivered or brought to one: to receive a letter.
- to get or be informed of: to receive instructions; to receive news.
- to be burdened with; sustain: to receive a heavy load.
- to hold, bear, or contain: The nut receives a bolt and a washer. The plaster receives the impression of the mold.
- to take into the mind; apprehend mentally: to receive an idea.
- to accept from another by hearing or listening: A priest received his confession.
- to meet with; experience: to receive attention.
- to suffer the injury of: He received a terrific blow on the forehead.
- to be at home to (visitors): They received their neighbors on Sunday.
- to greet or welcome (guests, visitors, etc.) upon arriving: They received us at the front door.
- to admit (a person) to a place: The butler received him and asked him to wait in the drawing room.
- to admit into an organization, membership, etc.: to receive someone into the group.
- to accept as authoritative, valid, true, or approved: a principle universally received.
- to react to in the manner specified: to receive a proposal with contempt; She received the job offer with joy.
verb (used without object), re·ceived, re·ceiv·ing.
- to receive something.
- to receive visitors or guests.
- Radio. to convert incoming electromagnetic waves into the original signal.
- to receive the Eucharist: He receives every Sunday.
verb (mainly tr)
- to take (something offered) into one’s hand or possession
- to have (an honour, blessing, etc) bestowed
- to accept delivery or transmission of (a letter, telephone call, etc)
- to be informed of (news or information)
- to hear and consent to or acknowledge (an oath, confession, etc)
- (of a vessel or container) to take or hold (a substance, commodity, or certain amount)
- to support or sustain (the weight of something); bear
- to apprehend or perceive (ideas, etc)
- to experience, undergo, or meet withto receive a crack on the skull
- (also intr) to be at home to (visitors)
- to greet or welcome (visitors or guests), esp in formal style
- to admit (a person) to a place, society, condition, etche was received into the priesthood
- to accept or acknowledge (a precept or principle) as true or valid
- to convert (incoming radio signals) into sounds, pictures, etc, by means of a receiver
- (also intr) tennis to play at the other end from the server; be required to return (service)
- (also intr) to partake of (the Christian Eucharist)
- (intr) mainly British to buy and sell stolen goods
c.1300, from Old North French receivre (Old French recoivre) “seize, take hold of, pick up; welcome, accept,” from Latin recipere “regain, take back, bring back, carry back, recover; take to oneself, take in, admit,” from re- “back,” though the exact sense here is obscure (see re-) + -cipere, comb. form of capere “to take” (see capable). Radio and (later) television sense is attested from 1908. Related: Received; receiving.