receptionist

noun

re·​cep·​tion·​ist ri-ˈsep-sh(ə-)nist How to pronounce receptionist (audio)
: a person employed to greet telephone callers, visitors, patients, or clients

Examples of receptionist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Community members can drop off new or like-new children’s shoes in donation boxes at the receptionist’s desk of the VisTix Recreation Office in the Vista Civic Center, 200 Civic Center Drive. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025 After the receptionist revealed to her that the kids were not dressed up, Jones was stunned. Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 30 Mar. 2025 That was Kaitlyn Conley, the receptionist at Mary Yoder’s clinic and Adam Yoder’s ex-girlfriend. Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 21 Mar. 2025 Mistake 5: Not Empowering Everyone To Deliver Customer Experience This is one that most of us have probably experienced – a receptionist who can't offer a room upgrade because they aren't authorized to, or a retail assistant who can’t offer a refund without permission from their manager. Bernard Marr, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for receptionist

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of receptionist was in 1901

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Receptionist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/receptionist. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

receptionist

noun
re·​cep·​tion·​ist ri-ˈsep-sh(ə-)nəst How to pronounce receptionist (audio)
: an office employee who greets callers, answers questions, and arranges appointments

More from Merriam-Webster on receptionist

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!