acceptor

noun

ac·​cep·​tor ik-ˈsep-tər 

ak-

1

: accepter sense 1

2

: one that accepts an order or a bill of exchange

3

: an atom, molecule, or subatomic particle capable of receiving another entity (such as an electron) especially to form a compound compare donor sense 3a

Examples of acceptor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Researchers revealed that to produce solar fuels such as green hydrogen, the light-absorbing molecules must transfer an electrical charge to an acceptor molecule. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2025

In 1969 engineers at Kokusai Shohin added a coin acceptor to the machine. —IEEE Spectrum, 29 Aug. 2025

The Kiosks are ‘upright cabinets with two video displays, a bill acceptor and a printer.’ . . . —Daniel Wallach, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024

Exposing the molecules to green light caused an electron to jump from the donor to the acceptor over a distance of about four nanometers. —Henrik Mouritsen, Scientific American, 1 Apr. 2022

Magee’s brainwave was to install a device that had a coin acceptor and a dial to engage a timing mechanism. —Tony Borroz, WIRED, 13 May 2010

Word History

Etymology

Middle English acceptour (in the phrase acceptour of persones, translation of the Vulgate phrase personarum acceptor—Acts 10:34), borrowed from Latin acceptor, from accipere "to take, receive" + -tor, agent suffix — more at accept

First Known Use

1504, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for acceptor

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

Medical Definition

acceptor

noun

ac·​cep·​tor ik-ˈsep-tər, ak- 

: an atom, molecule, or subatomic particle capable of receiving another entity (as an electron) especially to form a compound compare donor sense 2