welcome

1 of 4

verb

wel·​come ˈwel-kəm How to pronounce welcome (audio)
welcomed; welcoming

transitive verb

1
: to greet hospitably and with courtesy or cordiality
2
: to accept with pleasure the occurrence or presence of
welcomes danger
welcomer noun

welcome

2 of 4

interjection

used to express a greeting to a guest or newcomer upon arrival

welcome

3 of 4

adjective

1
: received gladly into one's presence or companionship
was always welcome in their home
2
: giving pleasure : received with gladness or delight especially in response to a need
a welcome relief
3
: willingly permitted or admitted
he was welcome to come and goW. M. Thackeray
4
used in the phrase "You're welcome" as a reply to an expression of thanks
welcomely adverb
welcomeness noun

welcome

4 of 4

noun

1
: a greeting or reception usually upon arrival
a warm welcome
2
: the state of being welcome
overstayed their welcome

Examples of welcome in a Sentence

Verb She welcomed the students into her home. We welcome you to the show. He's a bright student who welcomes a challenge. Adjective That will be a welcome change. He was a welcome sight. Noun He was given a hero's welcome when he returned home after winning the race. offered a warm welcome to the stranger
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Some merchants blame the strict security for driving customers away, while others welcome the safer environment. Ashley Ahn, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024 She and her family are welcomed by the queen, Isabelle (Robin Wright, gorgeously cloaked in robes, power and snobbery), and her fiancé, Prince Henry (Nick Robinson), who looks oddly sheepish, as if he’d been caught in a lie on his Royal Match profile. Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024 Good morning and welcome to Fox News’ morning newsletter, Fox News First. Fox News, 8 Mar. 2024 The deceleration in hiring, though, is being welcomed by the Federal Reserve, which might otherwise worry that a too-hot job market would force companies to sharply raise wages and prices and re-ignite inflation. Paul Wiseman, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024 The Oscars will revive a presentation tactic last used 15 years ago in which five former winners in each of the four acting categories will individually pay tribute to this year’s nominees and then award this year’s winners, in effect welcoming them to the club. Paul Grein, Billboard, 8 Mar. 2024 Miami welcomes Nashville to Chase Stadium for the second leg on March 13. Matias Grez, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 The invite-only, pre-Oscars event, which was co-chaired by Zendaya, Annie Lennox and Helen Hunt and honored John Legend and Donatella Versace, welcomed Coolidge at the last minute. Elizabeth Taylor, Variety, 7 Mar. 2024 The actress and singer, 38, arrived at the 2024 SAG Awards in style on Saturday, just eight weeks after welcoming daughter Amora Princess with husband Russell Wilson. Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 25 Feb. 2024
Adjective
Bonuses and Promotions: 4.7/5 This real money online casino has a wager-free welcome bonus. Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024 The gains likely comes as welcome news for U.S. homeowners, many of whom borrow against their home equity to pay for repairs on their property, fund their kids' college educations or make pricey purchases. Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2024 Dern drops by now and then to spike the mix with a welcome dose of vinegar as Scheermeyer, a crusty rancher who’s grown way past annoyed by people offering to drill on his potentially oil-rich property, and requires considerable swaying to sign on with Merle and Erwin. Joe Leydon, Variety, 8 Mar. 2024 Her portrayal, which has shades of Emilia Clarke’s Daenerys Targaryen, sustains a film that would have benefited from more depth, especially because its penultimate battle offers a moment of welcome cleverness. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2024 Other welcome waste-free touches include the stylish ceramic holders filled with Wildsmith Skin toiletries in the bathroom. Chrissie McClatchie, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2024 La Palma has one of the best bar spots in the entire island: Bianca, a new addition via this renovation, right on its roof, with superb views out across the main town—and cooling breezes all-too welcome on a warm night. Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2024 But for those anticipating the bluebonnet blooms, the recent round of above normal temperatures was a welcome development. David Montesino, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Mar. 2024 Reservations are encouraged, but walk ups are welcome when available. Katie Wiseman, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Mar. 2024
Noun
As those adorable little frogs thaw out from the winter and welcome in the spring, outdoor enthusiasts can finally begin to do the same. Alice Bennett, Travel + Leisure, 2 Mar. 2024 The four-day, three-night trip package includes air travel, hotel accommodations, a Marriott Bonvoy welcome gift and the highly coveted concert tickets. Daniel S. Levine, Peoplemag, 28 Feb. 2024 The vote came days after a temporary migrant welcome center closed earlier than expected. Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2024 The San Diego welcome center, which opened in October, offered migrants Wi-Fi, food and help coordinating transportation and shelter. Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024 Looking ahead to production in new plants, Brazil offers a warmer welcome to Beijing than Washington at the moment. Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 27 Feb. 2024 New players can get started with a $5,000 welcome bonus. Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2024 The Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego received welcome news Tuesday about the time breakfast was being served: The Marines had slightly exceeded its corps-wide recruiting goal for the three-month period ending Dec. 31. Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2024 This approach develops employees and also prevents them from wearing out their welcome. Liz Kislik, Forbes, 17 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'welcome.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English welcumian, wylcumian, from wilcuma, noun

Interjection

Middle English, alteration of wilcume, from Old English, from wilcuma desirable guest (akin to Old High German willicomo desirable guest); akin to Old English willa, will desire, cuman to come — more at will, come

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Interjection

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1525, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of welcome was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near welcome

Cite this Entry

“Welcome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/welcome. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

welcome

1 of 4 interjection
wel·​come ˈwel-kəm How to pronounce welcome (audio)
used to greet a guest or newcomer upon arrival

welcome

2 of 4 verb
welcomed; welcoming
1
: to greet in a warm and friendly manner
2
: to receive or accept with pleasure
welcomes a challenge
welcomer noun

welcome

3 of 4 adjective
1
: received gladly
a welcome visitor
2
: giving pleasure : pleasing
welcome news
3
: willingly permitted to do, have, or enjoy something
anyone is welcome to use the pool
4
used in the phrase "You're welcome" as a reply to an expression of thanks

welcome

4 of 4 noun
: a friendly greeting or reception

More from Merriam-Webster on welcome

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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