exteroceptor

noun

ex·​tero·​cep·​tor ˌek-stə-rō-ˈsep-tər How to pronounce exteroceptor (audio)
: a sense organ excited by exteroceptive stimuli

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of exteroceptor was in 1906

Dictionary Entries Near exteroceptor

exteroceptive

exteroceptor

exterrestrial

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Exteroceptor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exteroceptor. Accessed 7 Feb. 2023.

Copy Citation

Share

Medical Definition

exteroceptor

noun
ex·​tero·​cep·​tor -ˈsep-tər How to pronounce exteroceptor (audio)
: a sense receptor (as of touch, temperature, smell, vision, or hearing) excited by exteroceptive stimuli compare interoceptor

More from Merriam-Webster on exteroceptor

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about exteroceptor

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of acquiesce

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Commonly Confused Words Quiz

  • vector image of a face with thought expression
  • I went to the ______ store to buy a birthday card.
Spell It

Hear a word and type it out. How many can you get right?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games