ɹiˈækʃən ɹɪˈsɛp.ʃn̩ ɹɪˈplaɪ ɹɪˈspɒns a bodily process occurring due to the effect of some antecedent stimulus or agent a bad reaction to the medicine his responses have slowed with age the manner in which an electrical or mechanical device responds to an input signal or a range of input signals a phrase recited or sung by the congregation following a versicle by the priest or minister the manner in which something is greeted she did not expect the cold reception she received from her superiors a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation I waited several days for his answer he wrote replies to several of his critics the speech act of continuing a conversational exchange he growled his reply a result this situation developed in response to events in Africa