receptor
noun
re·cep·tor
ri-ˈsep-tər 
: receiver: such as
a
: a cell or group of cells that receives stimuli : sense organ
b
: a chemical group or molecule (such as a protein) on the cell surface or in the cell interior that has an affinity for a specific chemical group, molecule, or virus
Examples of receptor in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
One study found that azelastine could bind to a receptor that the coronavirus uses to access human cells.
—
Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
Dogs have an incredibly keen sense of smell—up to 100,000 times stronger than a human's, with around 300 million receptors in their noses, according to pet food manufacturer Purina.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
How GLP-1s work GLP-1 receptor agonists work by mimicking a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1, which is released from the gut after eating.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The great tree is festooned with receptors and wires.
—Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for receptor
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.
Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
Dogs have an incredibly keen sense of smell—up to 100,000 times stronger than a human's, with around 300 million receptors in their noses, according to pet food manufacturer Purina.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
How GLP-1s work GLP-1 receptor agonists work by mimicking a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1, which is released from the gut after eating.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The great tree is festooned with receptors and wires.
—Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for receptor
Cite this Entry
“Receptor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/receptor. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
receptor
noun
re·cep·tor
ri-ˈsep-tər
1
: a cell or group of cells that receives stimuli : sense organ
2
: a molecule (as protein) on the surface or in the inside of a cell that recognizes and joins to specific molecules causing a certain activity within the cell to begin
Medical Definition
receptor
noun
re·cep·tor
ri-ˈsep-tər
1
: a cell or group of cells that receives stimuli : sense organ
2
: a chemical group or molecule (as a protein) on the cell surface or in the cell interior that has an affinity for a specific chemical group, molecule, or virus
3
: a cellular entity (as a beta-receptor or alpha-receptor) that is a postulated intermediary between a chemical agent (as a neurohormone) acting on nervous tissue and the physiological or pharmacological response
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share