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

In coffee, a small amount of salt can neutralize bitterness by affecting certain taste receptors on the tongue without masking flavor the way sugar and cream can. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025

Upregulation causes a cell to add more receptors for a neurotransmitter, thus boosting its ability to respond. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025

People with type 1 diabetes may also get aid from the new glucagonlike peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist drugs, such as Ozempic. —Liz Szabo, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2025

Protein disulfide isomerases regulate androgen receptor stability and promote prostate cancer cell growth and survival. —Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 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