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
Concerned readers will be happy to know that plants don’t have nerves or pain receptors.
—
Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Apr. 2024
Getting into the science of CBD topicals, the Cannabinoid receptors that the body uses are CB1 and CB2.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
This phytonutrient attaches to the receptors on the taste buds that detect temperature, sending signals of spicy heat to the brain.
—Anthea Levi, Health, 30 Mar. 2024
Saxenda is marketed by Novo Nordisk, Inc. This drug belongs to a larger class of drugs, known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, which was originally introduced for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
—David Snyder, Verywell Health, 30 Mar. 2024
Breast cancer is hormone receptor positive when cancer cells have receptors — which the National Cancer Institute describes as binding proteins within the cell — that attach to progesterone or estrogen.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN, 27 Mar. 2024
Mifepristone gets in the way of this process by blocking the receptors that progesterone would normally bind with.
—Karen Kaplan, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2024
In other words, the array posses 2,500 sensors per square centimeter, which is more than 10 times the density of a human fingertip’s mechanical receptors.
—IEEE Spectrum, 17 Mar. 2024
Other neurotransmitter receptors kick into overdrive to compensate for the overworked cannabinoid receptors.
—Molly Sullivan, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2024
Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Apr. 2024
Getting into the science of CBD topicals, the Cannabinoid receptors that the body uses are CB1 and CB2.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
This phytonutrient attaches to the receptors on the taste buds that detect temperature, sending signals of spicy heat to the brain.
—Anthea Levi, Health, 30 Mar. 2024
Saxenda is marketed by Novo Nordisk, Inc. This drug belongs to a larger class of drugs, known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, which was originally introduced for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
—David Snyder, Verywell Health, 30 Mar. 2024
Breast cancer is hormone receptor positive when cancer cells have receptors — which the National Cancer Institute describes as binding proteins within the cell — that attach to progesterone or estrogen.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN, 27 Mar. 2024
Mifepristone gets in the way of this process by blocking the receptors that progesterone would normally bind with.
—Karen Kaplan, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2024
In other words, the array posses 2,500 sensors per square centimeter, which is more than 10 times the density of a human fingertip’s mechanical receptors.
—IEEE Spectrum, 17 Mar. 2024
Other neurotransmitter receptors kick into overdrive to compensate for the overworked cannabinoid receptors.
—Molly Sullivan, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'receptor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near receptor
Cite this Entry
“Receptor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/receptor. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
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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