receiver

noun

re·​ceiv·​er ri-ˈsē-vər How to pronounce receiver (audio)
: one that receives: such as
a
b(1)
: a person appointed to hold in trust and administer property under litigation
(2)
: a person appointed to settle the affairs of a business involving a public interest or to manage a corporation during reorganization
c
: one that receives stolen goods : fence
d
: a device for converting signals (such as electromagnetic waves) into audio or visual form: such as
(1)
: a device in a telephone for converting electric impulses or varying current into sound
(2)
: a radio receiver with a tuner and amplifier on one chassis
e(1)
(2)
: a member of the offensive team in football eligible to catch a forward pass

Examples of receiver in a Sentence

She angrily slammed down the phone's receiver.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
During that barren run, Notre Dame has signed just three Top 100 overall prospects at receiver. Pete Sampson, New York Times, 5 July 2025 Slippery conditions impact every player: receivers might stumble off the line, linemen and defenders can lose footing during explosive moves, and quick cuts might not land cleanly. Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025 With Pickens gone, a new receiver needs to emerge as the next best target alongside Metcalf. James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025 When someone buys a firearm or a lower receiver online, the item needs to go through a local gun store that runs the background check and then transfers the gun or receiver to the customer. John Diedrich, jsonline.com, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for receiver

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of receiver was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Receiver.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/receiver. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

receiver

noun
re·​ceiv·​er ri-ˈsē-vər How to pronounce receiver (audio)
: one that receives: as
a
: a person appointed to take control of property that is involved in a lawsuit or of a business that is bankrupt or is being reorganized
b
: equipment for receiving radio or television broadcasts
c
: a device for changing electricity or radio waves into light or sound
d
: an offensive football player who may catch a forward pass

Legal Definition

receiver

noun
re·​ceiv·​er ri-ˈsē-vər How to pronounce receiver (audio)
1
: an officer charged with receiving tax payments or returns and other related duties (as the maintenance of tax rolls)
2
: a person appointed by the court to hold in trust and administer property in litigation
especially : one appointed to administer, conserve, rehabilitate, or liquidate the assets of an insolvent corporation for the protection or relief of creditors compare conservator, liquidator

More from Merriam-Webster on receiver

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