The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word RECEPTION
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
R
E
C
E
P
T
I
O
N
More clues leading to the result RECEPTION
- Quality of signal in first class
- Quality of TV signal, first class
- Party where one is welcomed
- First class wedding meal?
- Function in part of a hotel
- Trick Democrat ousted by Republican Party
- 10 percent out for party
- Function room
- A function that a television’s aerial aids?
- Function of optic nerve not very developed
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Function" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case function = reception.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 RECEPTION mean?
RECEPTION noun- The act of receiving.
- The act or ability to receive radio or similar signals.
- A social engagement, usually to formally welcome someone.
- A reaction; the treatment received on first talking to a person, arriving at a place, etc.
- The desk of a hotel or office where guests are received.
- The school year, or part thereof, between preschool and Year 1, when children are introduced to formal education.
- The conscious adoption or transplantation of legal phenomena from a different culture.