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

The drug retatrutide, which is in trials, is a triple hitter that targets GLP-1 plus glucagon plus GIP receptors, all at once. —Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 28 Nov. 2025

Why timing of hormone therapy matters The theory of a critical window to initiate hormone replacement therapy may be related to estrogen receptors in the brain, said Mosconi. —Akshay Syal, NBC news, 27 Nov. 2025

Caffeine wakes you up by inhibiting the ability of the natural sleep chemical adenosine from binding to its receptors. —Laura Dorwart, Verywell Health, 25 Nov. 2025

But products sold in Missouri and elsewhere vary widely in potency, and some contain elevated levels of mitragynine and especially 7-OH — compounds that activate the brain’s opioid receptors. —David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 21 Nov. 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