receiver

noun

re·​ceiv·​er ri-ˈsē-vər How to pronounce receiver (audio)
: one that receives: such as
a
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)
(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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Meanwhile, Brown continued to blossom into the offense, fellow receiver Xavier Worthy made his presence known with a 6-yard touchdown reception and tight end Travis Kelce looked increasingly smooth with 78 yards — his second-most in a regular-season game since last November. Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025 Without receivers CeeDee Lamb and KaVontae Turpin, Prescott got multiple receivers involved as the game carried on. Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Oct. 2025 Manning created opportunities with his legs, scrambling out of the pocket to find open receivers. Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025 This will be a discussion point until the Panthers’ great rookie receiver notches his first NFL receiving touchdown. Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for receiver

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of receiver was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Receiver.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/receiver. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

receiver

noun
re·​ceiv·​er ri-ˈsē-vər How to pronounce receiver (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce receiver (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on receiver

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