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
Most peptide drugs work by binding to a receptor on the surface of cells, a process that then initiates changes in how the cell behaves.
—
Sara Talpos — Undark, STAT, 1 June 2026
Under normal conditions, this receptor acts like a molecular switchboard.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
The study, known as OPTIMA, enrolled more than 4,400 patients with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative early breast cancer.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 May 2026
The company’s lead drug is a once-daily pill for advanced prostate cancer that cements the male hormone receptor present in prostate cancer to another protein essential for cell survival, gumming up its function and causing the cancer cells to die.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for receptor
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Sara Talpos — Undark, STAT, 1 June 2026
Under normal conditions, this receptor acts like a molecular switchboard.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
The study, known as OPTIMA, enrolled more than 4,400 patients with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative early breast cancer.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 May 2026
The company’s lead drug is a once-daily pill for advanced prostate cancer that cements the male hormone receptor present in prostate cancer to another protein essential for cell survival, gumming up its function and causing the cancer cells to die.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for receptor
Cite this Entry
“Receptor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/receptor. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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