receptor

noun

re·​cep·​tor ri-ˈsep-tər How to pronounce receptor (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For the study, the research team combined intismeran with Keytruda that blocks interactions between the PD-1 receptor and its ligands. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026 In 2011, researchers at Takeda, a Japanese pharmaceutical company, found a chemical compound that could block the orexin receptor, and so promote sleep. — Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 20 Aug. 2026 This is in part because most breast cancer medications work by targeting hormone receptors or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) proteins—markers that triple-negative breast cancers lack. — Maggie Donahue, HEALTH, 20 Aug. 2026 Estrogen receptors are widely distributed throughout the brain, and estrogen plays a role in systems involved in attention, memory and mood. — Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for receptor

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of receptor was in 1898

Phrases Containing receptor

Rhymes for receptor

See All Rhymes for receptor

Browse Nearby Words

receptivity
receptor
recepts
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Receptor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/receptor. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

receptor

noun
re·​cep·​tor ri-ˈsep-tər How to pronounce receptor (audio)
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 How to pronounce receptor (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on receptor

Nglish: Translation of receptor for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about receptor

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