Dispatch vs. Reception — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on October 13, 2023
"Dispatch" refers to the act of sending off goods, messages, or a task swiftly, while "reception" denotes the action or process of receiving something sent, delivered, or awarded.
Difference Between Dispatch and Reception
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Dispatch" and "reception" have contrasting meanings, focusing on different ends of a transmission or delivery process. "Dispatch" involves the act of sending off goods, messages, or completing a task with speed and efficiency. It pertains to the act of conveying something from one place to another, emphasizing swiftness and efficiency in the process of sending or completing. It implies proactivity, action, and often urgency, as it seeks to transmit or accomplish something promptly.
Conversely, "reception" is about receiving or being received. It signifies the act or process of receiving something, whether it be goods, messages, or a person, usually in a welcoming manner. "Reception" involves acknowledgment, acceptance, or the way in which one is received, reflecting the other end of the transmission process. While dispatch is about proactive sending, reception is more about passive receiving, focusing on how something or someone is received or welcomed.
"Dispatch" tends to be more associated with activity, movement, and speed, reflecting the intent to send or complete something promptly and efficiently. It is about doing something quickly, whether it is sending goods, delivering a message, or completing a task, highlighting a sense of urgency and efficiency. On the other hand, "reception" is associated with receptiveness, acknowledgment, and hospitality, reflecting the manner and process in which something or someone is received. It is more about the experience of being received, whether warmly or coldly, accepted or rejected.
In terms of implication, "dispatch" implies a sense of responsibility, action, and often immediacy in sending or completing. It reflects a proactive stance, emphasizing the need to act swiftly and efficiently to convey or accomplish. Meanwhile, "reception" implies a sense of openness, acknowledgment, and often hospitality in receiving. It reflects a responsive stance, emphasizing the experience and manner of being received, whether it be a package, a message, or a person.
Comparison Chart
Definition
The act of sending off goods, messages, or a task swiftly
The action or process of receiving something sent, delivered, or awarded
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Focus
Sending, completing swiftly
Receiving, being received
Associated Actions
Activity, movement, speed
Receptiveness, acknowledgment, hospitality
Implications
Responsibility, action, immediacy
Openness, acknowledgment, hospitality
Nature
Proactive, about doing
Responsive, about experiencing
Compare with Definitions
Dispatch
Dispatch refers to sending off goods or messages swiftly.
The company will dispatch the parcel today.
Reception
Reception denotes the way in which people react to something.
The new policy had a mixed reception among employees.
Dispatch
Dispatch denotes the act of conveying something from one place to another quickly.
The courier service dispatches hundreds of packages daily.
Reception
Reception implies the act of receiving signals or broadcasts.
The radio has poor reception in this area.
Dispatch
Send off to a destination or for a purpose
The government dispatched 150 police to restore order
He dispatched messages back to base
Reception
Reception represents the manner in which someone is received and entertained.
The ambassador received a grand reception at the palace.
Dispatch
Deal with (a task or opponent) quickly and efficiently
The Welsh team were dispatched comfortably by the opposition
Reception
Reception refers to the receiving of knowledge or information.
The reception of new information led to changes in the project.
Dispatch
The sending of someone or something to a destination or for a purpose
A resolution authorizing the dispatch of a peacekeeping force
Reception
The action or process of receiving something sent, given, or inflicted
Sensation is not the passive reception of stimuli
Dispatch
An official report on state or military affairs
In his battle dispatch he described the gunner's bravery
Reception
A formal social occasion held to welcome someone or to celebrate an event
A wedding reception
Dispatch
The killing of someone or something
The executioner's merciful dispatch of his victims
Reception
The process of receiving broadcast signals
A microchip that will allow parents to block reception of violent programmes
Dispatch
To relegate to a specific destination or send on specific business.
Reception
The area in a hotel or organization where guests and visitors are greeted and dealt with
Wait for me downstairs in reception
The reception desk
Dispatch
A written message, particularly an official communication, sent with speed.
Reception
The first class in an infant or primary school
My son is in reception
The reception class
Dispatch
An important message sent by a diplomat or an officer in the armed forces.
Reception
An act of catching a pass
His 49 receptions included six touchdowns
Dispatch
A news item sent to a news organization, as by a correspondent.
Reception
The act or process of receiving or of being received.
Dispatch
(transitive) To send (a shipment) with promptness.
Reception
(Football) The act or an instance of catching a forward pass.
Dispatch
(transitive) To send (a person) away hastily.
Reception
A welcome, greeting, or acceptance
A friendly reception.
Dispatch
(transitive) To send (an important official message) promptly, by means of a diplomat or military officer.
Reception
A social function, especially one intended to provide a welcome or greeting
A wedding reception.
Dispatch
(transitive) To send (a journalist) to a place in order to report.
Reception
Mental approval or acceptance
The reception of a new theory.
Dispatch
(transitive) To dispose of speedily, as business; to execute quickly; to make a speedy end of; to finish; to perform.
Reception
Conversion of transmitted electromagnetic signals into perceptible forms, such as sound or light, by means of antennas and electronic equipment.
Dispatch
(transitive) To rid; to free.
Reception
The condition or quality of the signals so received.
Dispatch
(transitive) To destroy (someone or something) quickly and efficiently.
Reception
The act of receiving.
Dispatch
To pass on for further processing, especially via a dispatch table (often with to).
Reception
The act or ability to receive radio or similar signals.
We have poor TV reception in the valley.
The new system provides exceptional quality of the reception signal.
Dispatch
To hurry.
Reception
A social engagement, usually to formally welcome someone.
After the wedding we proceeded to the reception.
Dispatch
To deprive.
Reception
A reaction; the treatment received on first talking to a person, arriving at a place, etc.
The ambassador's jokes met a cold reception.
Dispatch
A message sent quickly, as a shipment, a prompt settlement of a business, or an important official message sent by a diplomat, government official, military officer, etc.
Reception
The desk of a hotel or office where guests are received.
Dispatch
The act of doing something quickly.
We must act with dispatch in this matter.
Reception
The school year, or part thereof, between preschool and Year 1, when children are introduced to formal education.
Dispatch
A mission by an emergency response service, typically involving attending to an emergency in the field.
Reception
(law) The conscious adoption or transplantation of legal phenomena from a different culture.
Dispatch
(computing) The passing on of a message for further processing, especially through a dispatch table.
Reception
(American football) The act of catching a pass.
Dispatch
(obsolete) A dismissal.
Reception
(linguistics) Reading viewed as the active process of receiving a text in any medium (written, spoken, signed, multimodal, nonverbal), consisting of several steps, such as ideation, comprehension, reconstruction, interpretation.
Dispatch
To dispose of speedily, as business; to execute quickly; to make a speedy end of; to finish; to perform.
Ere we put ourselves in arms, dispatch weThe business we have talked of.
[The] harvest men . . . almost in one fair day dispatcheth all the harvest work.
Reception
The act of receiving; receipt; admission; as, the reception of food into the stomach; the reception of a letter; the reception of sensation or ideas; reception of evidence.
Dispatch
To rid; to free.
I had clean dispatched myself of this great charge.
Reception
The state of being received.
Dispatch
To get rid of by sending off; to send away hastily.
Unless dispatched to the mansion house in the country . . . they perish among the lumber of garrets.
Reception
The act or manner of receiving, especially of receiving visitors; entertainment; hence, an occasion or ceremony of receiving guests; as, a hearty reception; an elaborate reception.
What reception a poem may find.
Dispatch
To send off or away; - particularly applied to sending off messengers, messages, letters, etc., on special business, and implying haste.
Even with the speediest expeditionI will dispatch him to the emperor's cou .
Reception
Acceptance, as of an opinion or doctrine.
Philosophers who have quitted the popular doctrines of their countries have fallen into as extravagant opinions as even common reception countenanced.
Dispatch
To send out of the world; to put to death.
The company shall stone them with stones, and dispatch them with their swords.
Reception
A retaking; a recovery.
Dispatch
To make haste; to conclude an affair; to finish a matter of business.
They have dispatched with Pompey.
Reception
The manner in which something is greeted;
She did not expect the cold reception she received from her superiors
Dispatch
The act of sending a message or messenger in haste or on important business.
Reception
A formal party of people; as after a wedding
Dispatch
Any sending away; dismissal; riddance.
To the utter dispatch of all their most beloved comforts.
Reception
Quality or fidelity of a received broadcast
Dispatch
The finishing up of a business; speedy performance, as of business; prompt execution; diligence; haste.
Serious business, craving quick dispatch.
To carry his scythe . . . with a sufficient dispatch through a sufficient space.
Reception
The act of receiving
Dispatch
A message dispatched or sent with speed; especially, an important official letter sent from one public officer to another; - often used in the plural; as, a messenger has arrived with dispatches for the American minister; naval or military dispatches.
Reception
(American football) the act of catching a pass in football;
The tight end made a great reception on the 20 yard line
Dispatch
A message transmitted by telegraph.
Reception
Reception is the process or action of receiving someone or something.
The reception of the guests was warm and welcoming.
Dispatch
An official report (usually sent in haste)
Dispatch
The act of sending off something
Dispatch
The property of being prompt and efficient;
It was done with dispatch
Dispatch
Killing a person or animal
Dispatch
Send away towards a designated goal
Dispatch
Complete or carry out;
Discharge one's duties
Dispatch
Kill intentionally and with premeditation;
The mafia boss ordered his enemies murdered
Dispatch
Dispose of rapidly and without delay and efficiently;
He dispatched the task he was assigned
Dispatch
Kill without delay;
The traitor was dispatched by the conspirators
Dispatch
Dispatch implies completing a task with speed and efficiency.
The team managed to dispatch their duties promptly.
Dispatch
Dispatch represents the fast execution or sending of tasks, messages, or items.
They dispatch emergency services as soon as they receive a call.
Dispatch
Dispatch conveys a sense of urgency and efficiency in sending or completing.
The factory dispatches goods to various locations swiftly.
Common Curiosities
What does "dispatch" primarily refer to?
"Dispatch" primarily refers to the act of sending off goods, messages, or completing a task swiftly.
Does "dispatch" emphasize swiftness and efficiency?
Yes, "dispatch" emphasizes swiftness and efficiency in the process of sending or completing.
Is "dispatch" associated with activity and movement?
Yes, "dispatch" is associated with activity, movement, and speed, reflecting the intent to send or complete something promptly.
What is the meaning of "reception"?
"Reception" denotes the action or process of receiving something sent, delivered, or awarded.
Can "reception" represent the manner in which someone is received and entertained?
Yes, "reception" can represent the manner in which someone is received and entertained.
Can "reception" reflect the experience of being received warmly or coldly?
Yes, "reception" can reflect the experience and manner of being received, whether warmly or coldly, accepted or rejected.
Can "reception" refer to the receiving of knowledge or information?
Yes, "reception" can also refer to the receiving of knowledge or information.
Is "reception" more about how something or someone is received or welcomed?
Absolutely, "reception" focuses on how something or someone is received or welcomed, involving acknowledgment and acceptance.
Does "dispatch" imply a sense of responsibility and action?
Yes, "dispatch" implies a sense of responsibility, action, and often immediacy in sending or completing.
Is "dispatch" related to the fast execution or sending of tasks, messages, or items?
Yes, "dispatch" is related to the fast execution or sending of tasks, messages, or items.
Can "reception" imply a sense of openness and hospitality?
Indeed, "reception" implies a sense of openness, acknowledgment, and often hospitality in receiving.
Is "dispatch" proactive and about doing something quickly?
Yes, "dispatch" is proactive, about doing something quickly, and emphasizes the need to act swiftly and efficiently.
Does "dispatch" reflect a sense of urgency and efficiency?
Absolutely, "dispatch" conveys a sense of urgency and efficiency in sending or completing.
Does "reception" emphasize the experience of being received?
Yes, "reception" emphasizes the experience and manner of being received, focusing on receptiveness and acknowledgment.
Is "dispatch" about conveying something from one place to another quickly?
Exactly, "dispatch" denotes the act of conveying something from one place to another quickly.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
