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

Yet recent research in mice suggests that blocking the GLP-1 receptor—that is, doing the opposite of what the drugs do—is what triggers the immune system to fight colorectal cancer. —Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 11 June 2024

Whereas human vision mainly relies on receptor cells in the retina – rods and three types of cones – smell is experienced through about 400 types of receptor cells in the nose. —Ambuj Tewari, The Conversation, 30 May 2024

And one type of receptor for glutamate is the NMDA subtype. —Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 23 May 2024

But there are also receptors for the GLP-1 hormone in the brain, heart, and other parts of the body, meaning that GLP-1 and its artificial counterpart also trick the mind, triggering a feeling of satiety. —Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 7 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing receptor

• alpha-receptor
• beta-receptor
• selective estrogen receptor modulator
• stretch receptor
• T cell receptor

Kids 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