receptor

noun

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re·cep·tor | \ ri-ˈsep-tər

Definition of receptor

: 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 Another team, however, had earlier ruled out DPP4 as a SARS-CoV-2 receptor after finding that the virus did not bind with it in cell line studies. — Ann Gibbons, Science | AAAS, "Neanderthal gene found in many people may open cells to coronavirus and increase COVID-19 severity," 18 Dec. 2020 This eventually led to my becoming the first to ever isolate a mammalian pheromone receptor. — Quanta Magazine, "Catherine Dulac Finds Brain Circuitry Behind Sex-Specific Behaviors," 14 Dec. 2020 Ubrelvy works by blocking CGRP’s ability to bind to its corresponding receptor in the body, effectively stopping a migraine in its tracks. — Claire Maldarelli, Popular Science, "The 9 top health and medicine breakthroughs of 2020," 2 Dec. 2020 One reason is fewer people are smoking, and improved treatments like epidermal growth-factor receptor tyrosine-kinase inhibitor are able to target non-small cell lung cancer mutations. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "The Good News on Cancer," 14 Jan. 2021 These species’ brains have three or more times more functional olfactory receptor neurons – nerve cells that respond to odors – than species with less keen smelling abilities, including humans and other primates. — Glen J. Golden, The Conversation, "The scent of sickness: 5 questions answered about using dogs – and mice and ferrets – to detect disease," 13 Jan. 2021 The drug stimulates an immune receptor that controls how much cytokine is produced. — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, "Pill used to treat OCD and anxiety may prevent Covid-19 from worsening, a preliminary study suggests," 12 Nov. 2020 The new analysis, of DPP4 gene variants among COVID-19 patients, suggests the enzyme also provides SARS-CoV-2 with a second door into our cells, along with its usual infection route via the ACE-2 receptor on cell surfaces. — Ann Gibbons, Science | AAAS, "Neanderthal gene found in many people may open cells to coronavirus and increase COVID-19 severity," 18 Dec. 2020 One of these is the receptor for an immune signaling molecule (interferons) that are induced when cells detect the presence of a virus. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, "Looking into the genetics of severe COVID-19," 17 Dec. 2020

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

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Last Updated

24 Feb 2021

Cite this Entry

“Receptor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/receptor. Accessed 7 Mar. 2021.

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More Definitions for receptor

receptor

noun

English Language Learners Definition of receptor

biology : a nerve ending that senses changes in light, temperature, pressure, etc., and causes the body to react in a particular way

See the full definition for receptor in the English Language Learners Dictionary

receptor

noun

re·cep·tor | \ ri-ˈsep-tər

Kids Definition of receptor

: a cell that receives a stimulus (as light or heat) and activates an associated nerve to send a message to the brain and that may be grouped into a sense organ (as a taste bud)

receptor

noun

re·cep·tor | \ ri-ˈsep-tər

Medical Definition of receptor

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

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