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

But to Papouin’s surprise, norepinephrine’s effects were apparent even when its receptors on neurons had been removed. —Ingrid Wickelgren, Quanta Magazine, 30 Jan. 2026

Valerian Tea Valerian tea is a popular sleep aid and relaxant that works on the same receptors as benzodiazepines. —Angela Ryan Lee, Verywell Health, 30 Jan. 2026

The drug cuts off access to vitamin A in the testes by blocking a receptor known as RAR alpha. —Ana Castelain, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026

Beta blockers, or beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists, are a class of drugs that lower blood pressure and heart rate. —Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 21 Jan. 2026

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