receiver

noun

re·​ceiv·​er ri-ˈsē-vər 

: one that receives: such as

a

: treasurer

b(1)

: a person appointed to hold in trust and administer property under litigation

(2)

: a person appointed to settle the affairs of a business involving a public interest or to manage a corporation during reorganization

c

: one that receives stolen goods : fence

d

: a device for converting signals (such as electromagnetic waves) into audio or visual form: such as

(1)

: a device in a telephone for converting electric impulses or varying current into sound

(2)

: a radio receiver with a tuner and amplifier on one chassis

e(1)

: catcher

(2)

: a member of the offensive team in football eligible to catch a forward pass

Examples of receiver in a Sentence

She angrily slammed down the phone's receiver.

Recent Examples on the Web

That ranked fifth among the 63 college FBS receivers who were targeted at least 25 times on man-to-man routes — more than first-round picks Jordyn Tyson and Makai Lemon. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026

Per The Athletic’s Matt Barrows, 49ers receiver Ricky Pearsall currently has knee swelling and receiver Christian Kirk injured his calf in the 49ers’ first practice. — Trevor Woods, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

After all, Canales has kept seven receivers on his team’s initial 53-man roster in his first two seasons at the helm — behind Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan, Coker and Legette, the field is wide open. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026

The team also signed veteran Christian Kirk, who has been out since the opening training camp practice with a calf injury, and used the 33rd pick in the NFL draft on Ole Miss receiver De’Zhaun Stribling. — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing receiver

• receiver general
• wide receiver

Rhymes for receiver

• achiever
• believer
• deceiver
• perceiver
• reliever
• retriever
• transceiver
• cleaver
• fever
• leaver
• weaver
• unbeliever

Kids Definition

receiver

noun

re·​ceiv·​er ri-ˈsē-vər 

: one that receives: as

a

: a person appointed to take control of property that is involved in a lawsuit or of a business that is bankrupt or is being reorganized

b

: equipment for receiving radio or television broadcasts

c

: a device for changing electricity or radio waves into light or sound

d

: an offensive football player who may catch a forward pass

Legal Definition

receiver

noun

re·​ceiv·​er ri-ˈsē-vər 

1

: an officer charged with receiving tax payments or returns and other related duties (as the maintenance of tax rolls)

2

: a person appointed by the court to hold in trust and administer property in litigation

especially : one appointed to administer, conserve, rehabilitate, or liquidate the assets of an insolvent corporation for the protection or relief of creditors compare conservator, liquidator