To catch or stop something (e.g., catching a ball, stopping a blow).
彼は投げられたボールを上手に受け止めた。
He skillfully caught the thrown ball.
子どもが転びそうになった時、母親が抱きかかえて受け止めた。
When the child was about to fall, the mother caught him in her arms.
胸でボールの勢いを受け止めた。
He absorbed the ball's momentum with his chest.
To respond to or take in something (e.g., to accept advice, criticism, or to come to terms with a situation).
彼女は上司の批判を冷静に受け止めた。
She calmly accepted her boss's criticism.
突然の別れの知らせをまだ受け止められない。
I still can't come to grips with the sudden news of a separation.
彼は冗談を真に受け止めて怒ってしまった。
He took the joke seriously and got angry.