receptacle

noun re·cep·ta·cle \ ri-ˈsep-ti-kəl \

|Updated on: 16 Jun 2018

Examples: receptacle in a Sentence

Definition of receptacle

1 : one that receives and contains something : container

[New Latin receptaculum, from Latin]

a : the end of the flower stalk upon which the floral organs are borne

b : a structure or tissue (as of a fungus or fern) bearing spores or sporangia

3 : a mounted female electrical fitting that contains the live parts of the circuit

See receptacle defined for English-language learners

See receptacle defined for kids

Examples of receptacle in a Sentence

She used the box as a receptacle for her jewelry.
place all wrappers in the trash receptacles at the entrances of the theater

Recent Examples of receptacle from the Web

At 150 gallons, the self-compacting receptacles, called Bigbelly containers, can accommodate nearly five times as much trash, recyclables and compost materials in separate compartments, compared with traditional 32-gallon, wire-mesh trash cans.

— dominic fracassa, San Francisco Chronicle, "Castro district gets 5 new high-tech Bigbelly trash bins," 2 May 2018
If someone feels like no one can handle their frustration, then the most convenient receptacle is themselves and that leads to more depression and anxiety and unproductivity.

— gina ryder, The Cut, "I Joined a Procrastination Support Group and It Changed My Life," 19 Apr. 2018
The $15,000 grant will go towards placing 81 new cigarette receptacles along the beaches, along with radio announcements signs reminding beach goers about the dangers of cigarette butt litering.

— alaa elassar, ajc, "Ga. coastal counties: Keep cigarette butts out of our water, beaches," 26 May 2018
So another receptacle was prepared for that organ, which would go back to the Indiana Donor Network offices, then be packed and shipped.

— shari rudavsky, Indianapolis Star, "'This room becomes sacred.' The heroic and heartbreaking journey of one organ donor's body," 17 May 2018
Management areas are often located in rural or semirural parts of the state and are periodically visited by DEP employees and local law enforcement, but not generally staffed, gated — or even equipped with trash receptacles.

— kevin riordan, Philly.com, "A cache of syringes befoul a favorite South Jersey fishing spot," 20 Apr. 2018
The group provides clients with receptacles in which to discard their food waste, collects that waste, bags and brands it, and then brings it to community gardens and urban farms.

— cleveland.com, "13 organizations making Northeast Ohio greener," 10 Apr. 2018
Spittoons were used as receptacles to spit into, and their presence at The Star indicates to Champ Clark just how male-dominated the environment was in the newsroom.

— max londberg, kansascity, "'A newspaperwoman till the day she died': Pioneer woman journalist for The Star dies | The Kansas City Star," 11 May 2018
Officers later found the fetus in a garbage receptacle on Amsterdam Avenue around 132nd Street.

— Fox News, "Fetuses found dead in 2 places in NYC; police investigating," 11 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'receptacle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of receptacle

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin receptaculum, from receptare to receive, frequentative of recipere to receive

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

receptacle Synonyms

Synonyms

container, holder, vessel;

Related Words

carrier;

cartridge;

basket, bin, box, caddy, carton, case, casket, crate, handbasket, locker, trunk;

bag, hamper, pocket, sack;

cooler, warmer;

basin, bottle, bowl, bucket, can, jar, jug, keg, kettle, kit, pack, pail, pitcher, pot, tub, vat;

RECEPTACLE Defined for English Language Learners

receptacle

noun

Definition of receptacle for English Language Learners

: a container that is used to hold something
: a device into which an electric cord can be plugged in order to provide electricity for a lamp, television, etc.

RECEPTACLE Defined for Kids

receptacle

noun re·cep·ta·cle \ ri-ˈsep-tə-kəl \

Definition of receptacle for Students

: something used to receive and hold smaller objects

a trash receptacle

Learn More about receptacle

See words that rhyme with receptacle Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for receptacle Spanish Central: Translation of receptacle Nglish: Translation of receptacle for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of receptacle for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about receptacle

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receptacle

Definition of receptacle

Examples of receptacle in a Sentence

Recent Examples of receptacle from the Web

Origin and Etymology of receptacle

receptacle Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

RECEPTACLE Defined for English Language Learners

receptacle

Definition of receptacle for English Language Learners

RECEPTACLE Defined for Kids

receptacle

Definition of receptacle for Students

Learn More about receptacle

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receptacle

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Origin and Etymology of receptacle

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RECEPTACLE Defined for English Language Learners

receptacle

Definition of receptacle for English Language Learners

RECEPTACLE Defined for Kids

receptacle

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