re·cep·tion / riˈsepshən/ • n. 1. the action or process of receiving something sent, given, or inflicted: the reception of impulses from other neurons the reception of the sacrament. ∎  the way in which a person or group of people reacts to someone or something: the proposal continued to get a lukewarm reception on Wall Street. ∎  the receiving of broadcast signals: a microchip that will allow parents to block reception of violent programs. ∎  the quality of this: I had to put up with poor radio reception. ∎  the action of admitting someone to a place, group, or institution or the process of being admitted: their reception into the Church. ∎  the formal or ceremonious welcoming of a guest: his reception by the Prime Minister. ∎  Football an act of catching the ball.2. a formal social occasion held to welcome someone or to celebrate a particular event: a wedding reception.3. the area in a hotel, office, or other establishment where guests and visitors are greeted and dealt with: [as adj.] the reception desk.

reception action of receiving XIV (in astron. sense), in gen. sense XV (not freq. till mid-XVII). — (O)F. réception or L. receptiō, -ōn-, f. recipere RECEIVE; see -TION.
So receptive XVI. — medL.