acceptance

noun

ac·​cep·​tance ik-ˈsep-tən(t)s 

ak-

1

: the quality or state of being accepted or acceptable

His theories have gained widespread acceptance.

2

: the act of accepting something or someone : the fact of being accepted : approval

acceptance of responsibility

3

law : an agreeing either expressly or by conduct to the act or offer of another so that a contract is concluded and the parties become legally bound

4

a

: the act of accepting a time draft or bill of exchange for payment when due according to the specified terms

b

: an accepted draft or bill of exchange

5

: acceptation sense 2

Examples of acceptance in a Sentence

her acceptance into the club

The university has sent me a letter of acceptance.

He delivered an acceptance speech after he was chosen as the party's presidential nominee.

Recent Examples on the Web

Compared with other similar polls that have taken the pulse of Americans on LGBTQ+ issues, The Times survey found significant jumps over time in acceptance of lesbian and gay people and, to a lesser degree, bisexual and transgender individuals. —Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2024

American universities’ acceptance of such dirty money was in the spotlight just a few years ago, when the Trump administration oversaw an unprecedented investigation into universities’ failing to disclose foreign funding. —Casey Michel, National Review, 2 June 2024

The month commemorates the community’s resilience in the face of adversity and major strides toward equality, as well as centering love, acceptance, and inclusivity. —Kara Peeler, Sunset Magazine, 31 May 2024

Reed would put out a litany of other records achieving everything from critical hosannas (1973's Berlin) to outright mockery (his train wreck of a 2011 collaboration with Metallica) to confusion followed by acceptance (the noise-and-feedback album Metal Machine Music). —Evan Sawdey, EW.com, 30 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Anglo-French, "agreement to abide by the act on another," from accepter "to accept" + -ance -ance

First Known Use

circa 1530, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing acceptance

• acceptance speech
• banker's acceptance
• find acceptance
• self-acceptance
• trade acceptance

Kids Definition

acceptance

noun

ac·​cep·​tance ik-ˈsep-tən(t)s 

ak-

1

: the act of accepting

2

: the quality or state of being accepted or acceptable