receive

verb

re·​ceive ri-ˈsēv How to pronounce receive (audio)
received; receiving
Synonyms of receive

transitive verb

1
: to come into possession of : acquire
receive a gift
2
a
: to act as a receptacle or container for
the cistern receives water from the roof
b
: to assimilate through the mind or senses
receive new ideas
3
a
: to permit to enter : admit
b
: welcome, greet
c
: to react to in a specified manner
4
: to accept as authoritative, true, or accurate : believe
5
a
: to support the weight or pressure of : bear
b
: to take (a mark or impression) from the weight of something
some clay receives clear impressions
c
: acquire, experience
received his early schooling at home
d
: to suffer the hurt or injury of
received a broken nose

intransitive verb

1
: to be a recipient
2
: to be at home to visitors
receives on Tuesdays
3
: to convert incoming radio waves into perceptible signals
4
: to prepare to take possession of the ball from a kick in football

Synonyms of receive

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Examples of receive in a Sentence

… his stark and devastating description of Vichy collaborationism (which he based on German and American archives) was rather badly received in France … —Stanley Hoffmann, New York Times Book Review, 1 Nov. 1981
George, white-gloved, with a gardenia in his buttonhole, stood with his mother and the Major, embowered in the big red and gold drawing room downstairs, to "receive" the guests; and, standing thus together, the trio offered a picturesque example of good looks persistent through three generations. —Booth Tarkington, The Magnificent Ambersons, 1918
From this time the astronomer was received into familiar friendship, and partook of all their projects and pleasures: his respect kept him attentive, and the activity of Rasselas did not leave much time unengaged. —Samuel Johnson, Rasselas, 1759
You will be charged a late fee if the electric company does not receive your payment on time. I received a letter from her yesterday. You will receive a discount if you spend over $100. She received the news of his death with remarkable calmness.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Hey, the boss needs a favor In a November 2025 Reddit post, one person described buying $800 in Target gift cards on their second day at a new job after receiving an email impersonating their boss. — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026 Both also received high-gloss visual treatments, the former starring Nicole Kidman and the latter narrated by Sir Ian McKellen, aka Gandalf. — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026 As a shrinking-violet housewife who comes alive under the magic of live theater in The Debut, Moore was the toast of Telluride, to the point where screenings of the film regularly received mid-movie applause breaks. — Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026 During the 2024-25 season, the bottom 22 clubs received $429 million, according to a March league memo shared with teams. — Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for receive

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French receivre, from Latin recipere, from re- + capere to take — more at heave entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of receive was in the 14th century

Rhymes for receive

See All Rhymes for receive

Browse Nearby Words

receival
receive
received
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Receive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/receive. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

receive

verb
re·​ceive ri-ˈsēv How to pronounce receive (audio)
received; receiving
1
: to take or get something that is given, paid, or sent
receive the money
receive a letter
2
: to welcome on arrival : greet
receive friends
3
: to hold a reception
receive from four to six o'clock
4
: experience entry 2
receive a shock
5
: to change incoming radio waves into sounds or pictures
Etymology

Middle English receiven "to gain possession of," from early French receivre (same meaning), from Latin recipere "receive, take back," from re- "back, again" and capere "to take" — related to accept, capture

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