1 [+ obj] : to get or be given (something)
▪ You will be charged a late fee if the electric company does not receive your payment on time. ▪ I received a letter/call from her yesterday. ▪ You will receive a discount if you spend over $100. ▪ This spring he'll receive [=be awarded] his PhD in physics. 2 [+ obj] : to react to (something) in a specified way
▪ She received the news of his death with remarkable calmness. — often used as (be) received ▪ Her new book was well/poorly received by the critics. [=the critics liked/disliked her new book] ▪ The results of the study were received with considerable skepticism. 3 [+ obj] formal : to welcome (someone) in usually a formal way
▪ The ambassador received [=greeted] his guests as they arrived at the party. 4 [+ obj] : to accept (someone) as a member of an organization, church, etc. — + into ▪ She was received into the church/university. 5 [+ obj] a : to suffer (an injury)
▪ He received [=got] a broken nose when he slipped and fell on the ice.
b : to be given (a punishment)
▪ She received a heavy sentence from the judge. 6 [+ obj] : to experience or take (a medical treatment)
▪ He receives an injection once a week to treat his allergies. ▪ Only one of the patients receiving the new treatment is experiencing bad side effects. ▪ He received a kidney transplant. 7 [+ obj] a : to get (signals that are sent to a television, radio, etc.)
▪ We were unable to receive the broadcast. ▪ A satellite receives the signals and then sends them back to earth.
b : to be able to hear (someone who is talking to you on a radio)
▪ I'm receiving you loud and clear. 8 American football : to be the player or team to which the ball is kicked when play begins [no obj] ▪ They won the coin toss and chose to receive. [+ obj] ▪ They chose to receive the kickoff. 9 [+ obj] law : to buy or take (goods that have been stolen) illegally
▪ He was found guilty of receiving stolen goods.