receptor

noun

re·​cep·​tor ri-ˈsep-tər 

: receiver: such as

a

: a cell or group of cells that receives stimuli : sense organ

b

: a chemical group or molecule (such as a protein) on the cell surface or in the cell interior that has an affinity for a specific chemical group, molecule, or virus

Examples of receptor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ghrelin attaches to receptors on the hypothalamus of your brain. —Brittany Lubeck, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 14 Apr. 2025

Field sobriety tests can be less reliable when administered to people with disabilities that can affect balance, reflexes and sensory receptors, according to the Law Offices of Charles L. Waechter in Maryland, as well as overweight people, people with injuries and those 65 or older. —David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 12 Apr. 2025

Researchers note that bitter taste receptors likely evolved as a defense mechanism to prevent the consumption of harmful substances. —Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025

Americans have struggled to afford the blockbuster class of weight loss medications called GLP-1, or glucagon-like peptide-1, receptor agonists. —Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing receptor

• alpha-receptor
• beta-receptor
• selective estrogen receptor modulator
• stretch receptor
• T cell receptor

Rhymes for receptor

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

Kids Definition

receptor

noun

re·​cep·​tor ri-ˈsep-tər 

1

: a cell or group of cells that receives stimuli : sense organ

2

: a molecule (as protein) on the surface or in the inside of a cell that recognizes and joins to specific molecules causing a certain activity within the cell to begin

Medical Definition

receptor

noun

re·​cep·​tor ri-ˈsep-tər 

1

: a cell or group of cells that receives stimuli : sense organ

2

: a chemical group or molecule (as a protein) on the cell surface or in the cell interior that has an affinity for a specific chemical group, molecule, or virus

3

: a cellular entity (as a beta-receptor or alpha-receptor) that is a postulated intermediary between a chemical agent (as a neurohormone) acting on nervous tissue and the physiological or pharmacological response