receipt

1 of 2

noun

re·​ceipt ri-ˈsēt How to pronounce receipt (audio)
plural receipts
Synonyms of receiptnext
1
a
: a writing acknowledging the receiving of goods or money
b
receipts plural, informal : proof, evidence
… he is on the hook right now for some pretty major charges that Mueller has the receipts for …—Asha Rangappa
However, it was just a few weeks earlier that the reality star was crushing on another lovely lady … and we've got the receipts to prove it! HollywoodLife has text messages between the two …—Sarah Jones
2
: the act or process of receiving
3
: something received
—usually used in plural
4
: recipe
5
a
obsolete : receptacle
b
archaic : a revenue office

receipt

2 of 2

verb

receipted; receipting; receipts

transitive verb

1
: to give a receipt for or acknowledge the receipt of
2
: to mark as paid

Did you know?

The History of Receipt and Recipe

These days it may seem odd to speak of "grandma's cookie receipt," but in the past, receipt was a synonym of recipe. Early use of receipt refers to medicinal preparations. Recipe didn't arrive until the 1500s, and it too was first used to describe a formula for medicine. In time, both words gained use in cookery, after which recipe slowly became the preferred word. Receipt later acquired its more familiar sense of "a writing acknowledging the receiving of goods or money." Both words, receipt and recipe, ultimately derive from Latin recipere ("to receive").

Examples of receipt in a Sentence

Noun Keep your receipt in case you need to return anything. The form should be completed and returned within 30 days of receipt. Open immediately upon receipt of the package. Our company deposits cash receipts every day.
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.
Noun
In Arizona, a state that votes heavily by mail, mail or absentee ballots received before Election Day can be processed and counted upon receipt. —Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2024 According to data from the United Nations, international tourism receipts reached $1.4 trillion in 2023, and McKinsey estimates this number will increase in 2024. —Kalyn Sims, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
Earlier this year, a Five Guys receipt totaling $24.10 for one meal went viral, sparking a heated debate about runaway fast-food prices. —Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 30 May 2024 He was arrested on June 3, 2021, and pleaded guilty last April to receipt of child pornography. —Taylor Hartz, Hartford Courant, 10 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for receipt 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English receite, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin recepta, probably from Latin, neuter plural of receptus, past participle of recipere to receive

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Verb

1787, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of receipt was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing receipt

Podcast

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Dictionary Entries Near receipt

receding color

receipt

receipt book

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Receipt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/receipt. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

receipt

1 of 2 noun
re·​ceipt ri-ˈsēt How to pronounce receipt (audio)
1
: recipe sense 2
2
: the act or process of receiving
3
: something received
—usually used in plural
4
: a written statement saying that money or goods have been received

receipt

2 of 2 verb
1
: to give a receipt for
2
: to mark as paid
receipt a bill

Legal Definition

receipt

noun
re·​ceipt ri-ˈsēt How to pronounce receipt (audio)
1
: the act, process, or fact of taking possession
2
: something (as income) received
—usually used in pl.
3
: a writing acknowledging the receiving of goods or money
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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See All

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See All

Popular in Wordplay

See All

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

10 Scrabble Words Without Any Vowels
See All

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
little chihuahua dressing like a turkey for thanksgiving
Giving Thanks Quiz Decide which words express gratitude and which gi...