Etymologically
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reception

Etymology and origin of the English word reception

History Permalink
Confidence
Established
Formation
Borrowing
First attested
c. 1390
Borrowed from
Old French reception
Ultimate origin
Latin (recipio)

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ɹɪˈsɛp.ʃn̩/[1]

Etymology

It is Middle English recepcion, borrowed from Old French reception and directly receptio (“a receiving”),[2][3][4] from recipere (“to take back, receive”) (see receive).[2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

In astrology, the effect of two planets on each other: about 1390 in the OED, before 1393, in Gower's Confessio Amantis, in Barnhart.[5][2]

Semantic evolution

The act of receiving in general is from probably before 1425 in Barnhart and about 1489 in the OED,[2][5] but Hoad notes it was not frequent until the mid-17th century.[4] Being received into a company or place is from the 1640s, and the formal receiving of persons from the 1660s.[3][5] A formal party to welcome guests is from 1842 in Barnhart and 1865 in the OED,[2][5] and the reception room by 1829.[3] The quality of radio reception is from 1907,[2][3] and the reception desk of a hotel or office from 1917.[5] Receptionist is from 1901 in its modern sense.[2]

Timeline

  • c. 1390 – in astrology.[5]
  • before 1425 – the act of receiving.[2]
  • 1660s – a formal welcome.[3]
  • 1842 – a party to welcome guests.[2]
  • 1907 – radio reception.[2][3]
  • 1917 – a reception desk.[5]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. A formal party held to welcome someone or celebrate an event: a wedding reception.
  2. The way in which someone or something is received: a warm reception.
  3. The area in a hotel or office where visitors are received.
  4. The quality of radio or television signals received.
  5. The act of receiving.

Word family

  • chemoreception
  • nonreception
  • phonoreception
  • photoreception
  • proprioception
  • receptionism
  • receptionist
  • reception desk

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press

Related etymologies

Cite this entry

“Reception.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/reception. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·