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

Weight-loss surgery was shown to be five times more effective than weekly injections of popular GLP-1 receptor agonists, including semaglutide (such as Ozempic) and tirzepatide (such as Mounjaro). —Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2025

Mike Blake | Reuters At ASCO, Eli Lilly released the first human data on an ADC that uses that linker and targets folate receptor alpha, a protein commonly found in ovarian cancer. —Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 17 June 2025

Both the emitter and the receptor were situated on the ground for the test. —New Atlas, 15 June 2025

All of these cells have cortisol receptors, and all of them may become dysregulated if cortisol levels climb too high. —Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 20 May 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