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

The lack of a true WR2 has become more glaring each week, as receivers struggle to create separation and often aren’t on the same page as their quarterback. —Mike Defabo, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025

The Vikings lead the NFL in interceptions (15) and can’t consistently get the ball into the hands of Jefferson, who has been one of the two or three best receivers in the NFL since his rookie season in 2020. —John Shipley, Twin Cities, 1 Dec. 2025

After the timeout everybody was in the same spot except McNichols was out to the left with the three receivers. —Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 1 Dec. 2025

Where he’s supposed to be, for instance, tagging a motion on a play, so the receiver’s on the left, not the right. —Josh Buckhalter, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025

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