ɹɪˈsiːt ɹɪˈsɛp.ʃn̩ ɹɪˈspɒns the act of receiving (American football) the act of catching a pass in football the tight end made a great reception on the 20 yard line quality or fidelity of a received broadcast the manner in which something is greeted she did not expect the cold reception she received from her superiors a formal party of people; as after a wedding