effector

noun ef·fec·tor \ i-ˈfek-tər , -ˌtȯr \

|Updated on: 9 May 2018

Definition of effector

1 : a bodily organ (such as a gland or muscle) that becomes active in response to stimulation

2 : a molecule (such as an inducer or a corepressor) that activates, controls, or inactivates a process or action (such as protein synthesis)

See effector defined for kids

Recent Examples of effector from the Web

Recent work in a mouse model of MS has filled in the downstream effectors that mediate testosterone’s protective effects.

— diana gitig, Ars Technica, "Testosterone may protect men from autoimmune diseases," 2 Feb. 2018
These effectors might be useful as therapeutics, whereas testosterone use really isn’t, especially for women, who are the ones who need it most.

— diana gitig, Ars Technica, "Testosterone may protect men from autoimmune diseases," 2 Feb. 2018
So the robot would just be an end effector, just a series of sensors and actuators.

— vanityfair.com, VanityFair.com, "Elon Musk’s Billion-Dollar Crusade to Stop the A.I. Apocalypse," 26 Mar. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'effector.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of effector

1906

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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Medical Dictionary

effector

noun ef·fec·tor \ i-ˈfek-tər , -ˌtȯ(ə)r \

medical Definition of effector

1 : a bodily organ (as a gland or muscle) that becomes active in response to stimulation

2 : a molecule (as an inducer, a corepressor, or an enzyme) that activates, controls, or inactivates a process or action (as protein synthesis or the release of a second messenger)