Reading Theme:
Reception: Definition, Usage & Key Differences (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：front desk (reception)
reception
/rɪˈsepʃn/
n.
the area or desk where visitors are greeted when they enter a building like a hotel or office.
front desk
➕
/frʌnt desk/
n.
The specific area or desk in a building, especially a hotel, office, or hospital, where visitors or guests are greeted, registered, and assisted.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'recipere' (to receive) + '-ion' (act/state). The core meaning is 'the action of receiving'.
💡 Mnemonic
Think of 'Receive a perception at the reception' – you receive a welcome, a party invite, or a TV signal.
📖 Example
After arriving at the hotel in the rain, I went straight to the reception to get my room key.
After arriving at the hotel in the rain, I went straight to the front desk to get my room key.
🔗 Collocations
reception desk – the main counter in a building's entrance area for visitor services
reception area – the broader space where visitors wait near the entrance
front reception – the main reception point, often at the very front of a building
🔄 Synonyms
front desk (n.) – common term for the reception area in hotels and businesses
lobby (n.) – a larger entrance hall that often contains the reception area
foyer (n.) – an entrance hall or lobby
🚫 Antonyms
exit (n.) – a way out of a building, opposite to the entrance where reception is usually located
🌱 Derivatives
receptionist (n.) – a person who works at a reception desk, greeting and assisting visitors
📖 Cultural Story
The word 'reception' comes from Latin 'receptio' (a receiving). It entered English via Old French 'reception'. Historically, its use in legal and medical contexts ('reception of evidence', 'reception of a patient') preceded its more common modern meanings related to welcoming guests or receiving signals.
Meaning 2：welcome party (reception)
reception
/rɪˈsepʃn/
n.
a formal or semi-formal party to welcome someone or celebrate an event, often with food and drinks.
welcome party
➕
/ˈwelkəm ˈpɑːrti/
n.
A formal or semi-formal social gathering held to welcome guests, celebrate an event (like a wedding or graduation), often involving food and drinks.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Following the graduation ceremony, there will be a reception in the school hall for all students and their families.
Following the graduation ceremony, there will be a welcome party in the school hall for all students and their families.
🔗 Collocations
wedding reception – the party that follows a wedding ceremony
hold a reception – to organize and host such a formal party
cocktail reception – a type of reception where drinks and light snacks are served, usually standing
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
farewell (n.) – an act of parting or marking someone's departure, the opposite of a welcoming event
Meaning 3：signal quality (reception)
reception
/rɪˈsepʃn/
n.
how well a device, like a radio or phone, picks up signals, affecting the sound or picture quality.
signal quality
➕
/ˈsɪɡnəl ˈkwɑːləti/
n.
The quality or strength with which a broadcast signal (radio, TV, phone) is received by a device, affecting the clarity of sound, image, or data.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
We couldn't watch the show because the TV reception in the mountains was very poor, with lots of static.
We couldn't watch the show because the TV signal quality in the mountains was very poor, with lots of static.
🔗 Collocations
poor reception – a weak or unclear signal
clear reception – a strong and uninterrupted signal
reception quality – the measure of how well signals are being received
🔄 Synonyms
signal strength (n.) – the power level of a received signal
coverage (n.) – the geographical area where a service signal can be received
transmission (n.) – the act of sending out signals, closely related to their reception
🚫 Antonyms
interference (n.) – disturbance that disrupts or degrades a signal, the opposite of good reception
🌱 Derivatives
receptor (n.) – a cell or organ that receives stimuli (in biology); or a molecule that receives and binds a specific substance (in biochemistry)
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