n. a formal party of people; as after a wedding

n. (American football) the act of catching a pass in football; "the tight end made a great reception on the 20 yard line"

n. quality or fidelity of a received broadcast

n. the act of receiving

n. the manner in which something is greeted; "she did not expect the cold reception she received from her superiors"

n. a formal or official social gathering or ceremony; "it was a black-tie function"

n. accomplishment of an objective

n. a statement acknowledging something or someone; "she must have seen him but she gave no sign of acknowledgment"; "the preface contained an acknowledgment of those who had helped her"

n. a public declaration of your faith

n. an expression of gratitude; "he expressed his appreciation in a short note"

n. (religion) a solemn declaration that serves the same purpose as an oath (if an oath is objectionable to the person on religious or ethical grounds)

n. a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation; "he was overwhelmed with gratitude for their help"

n. the principal pleading by the defendant in response to plaintiff's complaint; in criminal law it consists of the defendant's plea of `guilty' or `not guilty' (or nolo contendere); in civil law it must contain denials of all allegations in the plaintiff's complaint that the defendant hopes to controvert and it can contain affirmative defenses or counterclaims