photoreceptor

noun

pho·​to·​re·​cep·​tor ˌfō-tō-ri-ˈsep-tər 

: a receptor for light stimuli

Examples of photoreceptor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Many of the retinal neurons that once received signals from those photoreceptors remain, as does the optic nerve carrying information to the brain. — New Atlas, 5 Aug. 2026

The idea of an implantable retinal photoreceptor, so far, is supported only by isolated neurons in a dish, EEG traces from mice, and ERG readings from humans with light shone at the eye externally. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026

Practitioners skip sunglasses and aim for direct sky exposure, not necessarily direct sun on skin, so their retinal photoreceptors can register the light. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 25 July 2026

Skip sunglasses and avoid viewing light through windows when safe, aiming for direct sky exposure to reach retinal photoreceptors. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for photoreceptor

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

Medical Definition

photoreceptor

noun

pho·​to·​re·​cep·​tor -ˈsep-tər 

: a receptor for light stimuli