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

Those receptors constantly monitor changes in blood flow and send signals to the brain, which then adjusts heart rate and blood vessel tension. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 15 May 2026

According to a 2025 review in Frontiers in Neuroscience, sneezing begins when specialized sensory receptors inside the nasal lining detect irritation. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026

Although measles spreads through the air, this receptor, called CD150, wasn’t primarily found in nose and lung mucous membrane cells. —Veronique Greenwood, Time, 11 May 2026

Some bind to the brain’s opioid receptors weakly. —Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 8 May 2026

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
• baroreceptor
• photoreceptor
• 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