The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word ATRIUM
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
A
T
R
I
U
M
More clues leading to the result ATRIUM
- A major win, dispatching last couple in open court
- A great success, not using public house as place for reception
- A spruce shelters posh courtyard
- Central area that would be a success if provided with pub
- Navratilova triumphantly covering court
- Area to decorate round university’s central hall
- A half-successful Roman courtyard
- Area in good order around university hall
- Hall sees through Senna triumph
- Area in good order round university’s central hall
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "place for reception" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case place for reception = atrium.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does ATRIUM mean?
ATRIUM noun- A central room or space in ancient Roman homes, open to the sky in the middle; a similar space in other buildings.
- A square hall lit by daylight from above, into which rooms open at one or more levels.
- A cavity, entrance, or passage.
- Any enclosed sexine and nexine layers, widening toward the interior of the grain.