receiving

UK: /rɪˈsiːvɪŋ/

From the verb receive: (⇒ conjugate)

receiving is: ⓘ

v pres p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

re•ceive /rɪˈsiv/   v. [~ + object] , -ceived, -ceiv•ing. 

1. to get or have delivered to one:
   to receive a letter.
2. to obtain or take into one's possession (something offered or delivered):
   to receive gifts.
3. to become burdened with;
   to sustain or come to;
   suffer from:
   to receive a heavy load.
4. to take in, as something that fits or is absorbed:
   The socket receives the plug.
5. to take into the mind;
   apprehend mentally:
   to receive an idea.
6. to meet with;
   experience:
   That baby receives a lot of attention.
7. to admit (a person) to a place, into an organization or membership, etc.:
   He was received into the priesthood.
8. to be at home to, or welcome or greet (visitors).

See -ceive-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

re•ceive  (ri sēv′), v., -ceived, -ceiv•ing. 
v.t. 

1. to take into one's possession (something offered or delivered):
   to receive many gifts.
2. to have (something) bestowed, conferred, etc.:
   to receive an honorary degree.
3. to have delivered or brought to one:
   to receive a letter.
4. to get or be informed of:
   to receive instructions; to receive news.
5. to be burdened with;
   sustain:
   to receive a heavy load.
6. to hold, bear, or contain:
   The nut receives a bolt and a washer. The plaster receives the impression of the mold.
7. to take into the mind;
   apprehend mentally:
   to receive an idea.
8. to accept from another by hearing or listening:
   A priest received his confession.
9. to meet with;
   experience:
   to receive attention.
10. to suffer the injury of:
    He received a terrific blow on the forehead.
11. to be at home to (visitors):
    They received their neighbors on Sunday.
12. to greet or welcome (guests, visitors, etc.) upon arriving:
    They received us at the front door.
13. to admit (a person) to a place:
    The butler received him and asked him to wait in the drawing room.
14. to admit into an organization, membership, etc.:
    to receive someone into the group.
15. to accept as authoritative, valid, true, or approved:
    a principle universally received.
16. to react to in the manner specified:
    to receive a proposal with contempt; She received the job offer with joy.

v.i. 

17. to receive something.
18. to receive visitors or guests.
19. Radio and Television to convert incoming electromagnetic waves into the original signal.
20. to receive the Eucharist:
    He receives every Sunday.

• Latin recipere, equivalent. to re- re- + -cipere, combining form of capere to take
• Old North French receivre
• Middle English receven 1250–1300

Synonyms

• 11. admit, entertain, welcome.

Antonyms

• 1. give.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

receive / rɪˈsiːv/ verb (mainly tr)

1. to take (something offered) into one's hand or possession
2. to have (an honour, blessing, etc) bestowed
3. to accept delivery or transmission of (a letter, telephone call, etc)
4. to be informed of (news or information)
5. to hear and consent to or acknowledge (an oath, confession, etc)
6. (of a vessel or container) to take or hold (a substance, commodity, or certain amount)
7. to support or sustain (the weight of something); bear
8. to apprehend or perceive (ideas, etc)
9. to experience, undergo, or meet with: to receive a crack on the skull
10. (also intr) to be at home to (visitors)
11. to greet or welcome (visitors or guests), esp in formal style
12. to admit (a person) to a place, society, condition, etc: he was received into the priesthood
13. to accept or acknowledge (a precept or principle) as true or valid
14. to convert (incoming radio signals) into sounds, pictures, etc, by means of a receiver
15. (also intr) to play at the other end from the server; be required to return (service)
16. (also intr) to partake of (the Christian Eucharist)
17. (intransitive) to buy and sell stolen goods

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French receivre, from Latin recipere to take back, from re- + capere to take