n. The act of receiving by transfer or delivery; a taking into custody or possession of something tendered or presented; an instance of receipt: as, the reception of an invitation; a taking into place, position, or association; admission to entrance or insertion; a taking or letting in: as, a groove or socket for the reception of a handle; the reception of food in the stomach; reception of a person into society.n. Admission into the mind; a taking into cognizance or consideration; a granting of credence; acceptance: as, the reception of a doctrine.n. A receiving into audience, intercourse, or entertainment; treatment of a person on approach or presentation; greeting or welcome, as of a visitor: as, a cordial reception.n. An occasion of ceremonious or complimentary greeting; an assemblage of persons to be individually received or greeted by an entertainer or by a guest selected for special attention: as, to give weekly receptions.n. A retaking; recapture; recovery.n. Power or capacity of receiving; receptivity; susceptivity.n. In astrology, the interchange of the dignities of two planets, owing to each being in the other's house or exaltation.