receive

[ ri-seev ]

verb (used with object)

, re·ceived, re·ceiv·ing.

1. to take into one's possession (something offered or delivered):

   to receive many gifts.

   Antonyms: give

2. to have (something) bestowed, conferred, etc.:

   to receive an honorary degree.

3. to have delivered or brought to one:

   to receive a letter.

4. to get or be informed of:

   to receive instructions;

   to receive news.

5. to be burdened with; sustain:

   to receive a heavy load.

6. to hold, bear, or contain:

   The nut receives a bolt and a washer.

   The plaster receives the impression of the mold.

7. to take into the mind; apprehend mentally:

   to receive an idea.

8. to accept from another by hearing or listening:

   A priest received his confession.

9. to meet with; experience:

   to receive attention.

10. to suffer the injury of:

    He received a terrific blow on the forehead.

11. to be at home to (visitors):

    They received their neighbors on Sunday.

    Synonyms: welcome, entertain, admit

12. to greet or welcome (guests, visitors, etc.) upon arriving:

    They received us at the front door.

13. to admit (a person) to a place:

    The butler received him and asked him to wait in the drawing room.

14. to admit into an organization, membership, etc.:

    to receive someone into the group.

15. to accept as authoritative, valid, true, or approved:

    a principle universally received.

16. 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.

1. to receive something.
2. to receive visitors or guests.
3. Radio. to convert incoming electromagnetic waves into the original signal.
4. to receive the Eucharist:

   He receives every Sunday.

receive

/ rɪˈsiːv /

verb

1. to take (something offered) into one's hand or possession
2. to have (an honour, blessing, etc) bestowed
3. to accept delivery or transmission of (a letter, telephone call, etc)
4. to be informed of (news or information)
5. to hear and consent to or acknowledge (an oath, confession, etc)
6. (of a vessel or container) to take or hold (a substance, commodity, or certain amount)
7. to support or sustain (the weight of something); bear
8. to apprehend or perceive (ideas, etc)
9. to experience, undergo, or meet with

   to receive a crack on the skull

10. also intr to be at home to (visitors)
11. to greet or welcome (visitors or guests), esp in formal style
12. to admit (a person) to a place, society, condition, etc

    he was received into the priesthood

13. to accept or acknowledge (a precept or principle) as true or valid
14. to convert (incoming radio signals) into sounds, pictures, etc, by means of a receiver
15. also intr tennis to play at the other end from the server; be required to return (service)
16. also intr to partake of (the Christian Eucharist)
17. intr to buy and sell stolen goods

Other Words From

• inter·re·ceive verb (used with object) interreceived interreceiving
• nonre·ceiving adjective
• prere·ceive verb (used with object) prereceived prereceiving
• unre·ceiving adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of receive¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English receven, from Old North French receivre, from Latin recipere, equivalent to re- re- + -cipere, combining form of capere “to take”

Word History and Origins

Origin of receive¹

C13: from Old French receivre , from Latin recipere to take back, from re- + capere to take

Example Sentences

The interview received widespread backlash from religious conservatives.

From Los Angeles Times

But overall, sugar hasn't received a lot of attention from the scientific community despite being the largest cultivated crop by mass on the planet.

From Salon

"It's a diktat that they receive with no support and no help," he added.

From BBC

He was extremely thankful for the support and love he received from his wife, children and grandchildren.

From BBC

The received wisdom said we were built from around 200 types of cell – such as heart muscle or nerve cells.

From BBC

Related Words

• accept
• collect
• draw
• earn
• gain
• get
• hear
• hold
• make
• obtain
• pick up
• pocket
• reap
• secure
• seize
• take
• take in
• win

How Do You Spell Receive?

Spelling tips for receive

The word receive is hard to spell for two reasons. First, it can be hard to remember if the [ s] sound is spelled with a c or an s. Second, the order of the middle vowels can be tricky. Is it ei or ie? 

How to spell receive: When you receive something you want to C (see) it. This reminds you that it is spelled with a c, not an s. To remember the order of the vowels, keep in mind the classic mnemonic device: I before E except after C. Since receive is spelled with a C, the E goes before the I.