mechanoreceptor

noun

mech·​a·​no·​re·​cep·​tor ˌme-kə-nō-ri-ˈsep-tər 

: a neural end organ (such as a tactile receptor) that responds to a mechanical stimulus (such as a change in pressure)

mechanoreception

ˌme-kə-nō-ri-ˈsep-shən 

noun

mechanoreceptive

ˌme-kə-nō-ri-ˈsep-tiv 

adjective

Examples of mechanoreceptor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Bednarsek also saw, to her surprise, that the acidic water was impacting the crabs’ ability to grow hair-like sensory organs called mechanoreceptors. — oregonlive, 24 Jan. 2020

Their mechanoreceptors respond to lacunae and threats as small as 13 nanometers in amplitude. — Virginia Heffernan, Wired, 21 Jan. 2020

Word History

Etymology

mechano- + receptor

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mechanoreceptor

• acceptor
• preceptor
• receptor
• adrenoceptor
• baroreceptor
• photoreceptor
• chemoreceptor
• interceptor
• scepter
• sceptre

Medical Definition

mechanoreceptor

noun

mech·​a·​no·​re·​cep·​tor -ri-ˈsep-tər 

: a neural end organ (as a Pacinian corpuscle) that responds to a mechanical stimulus (as a change in pressure)

mechanoreception

-ˈsep-shən 

noun

mechanoreceptive

-ˈsep-tiv 

adjective