receptor

noun re·cep·tor \ ri-ˈsep-tər \

|Updated on: 20 Jun 2018

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

See receptor defined for English-language learners

See receptor defined for kids

Recent Examples of receptor from the Web

According to Leaf Science, that's because THC interacts with CB1 receptors in the body, changing the way the brain functions and putting you in that euphoric state.

— tehrene firman, Redbook, "What Is CBD? Here's Everything You Need to Know," 5 June 2018
Lucemyra blocks receptors in the brain to ease the discomfort, Jones said.

— grace schneider, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville company wins FDA approval to produce opioid withdrawal drug," 30 May 2018
For plants and fungi to make these very complicated molecules that happen to be the key that unlocks receptors in the animal brain.

— recode staff, Recode, "Full transcript: Author Michael Pollan on Recode Decode," 22 May 2018
But if the receptors in the pituitary sense that there’s too much testosterone in the bloodstream, that forms a negative feedback loop.

— sarah jacoby, SELF, "Hold On Everyone, Male Birth Control Still Isn't Happening Anytime Soon," 22 Mar. 2018
Armed with receptors to detect the carbon dioxide plumes from animal breath and the odors of animal skin, the tiny bugs can track down the tastiest victims.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Swatting May Teach Mosquitoes to Avoid Your Scent," 5 Feb. 2018
In the study, published online this week in Brain Research, scientists from Lancaster University in England used lab mice to test how effective a diabetes drug known as a triple receptor was in treating Alzheimer’s disease.

— dana dovey, Newsweek, "Diabetes Drug Reverses Alzheimer’s Symptoms in Mice; Reduces Brain Plaque Buildup and Improves Memory," 1 Jan. 2018
These genes code for things such as enzymes that break down the key chemicals in the medications, as well as receptors that respond to brain chemicals that are targeted by the antidepressants, like serotonin.

— alice park, Time, "A Genetic Test Could Help Predict the Right Antidepressant For You," 7 May 2018
For example, proteins can be made to hook to other molecules to prolong their activity, or interact in a specific way with a cell's molecular receptors.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "La Jolla biotech raises $63 million to make cancer drugs from artificial DNA," 30 Apr. 2018

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.

First Known Use of receptor

1898

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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RECEPTOR Defined for English Language Learners

receptor

noun

Definition of receptor for English Language Learners

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

RECEPTOR Defined for Kids

receptor

noun re·cep·tor \ ri-ˈsep-tər \

Definition of receptor for Students

: 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)

Medical Dictionary

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