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 The receptors control constriction and dilation in the smooth muscle fibers in the walls of these blood vessels. Kristen Rogers, CNN, 21 Mar. 2024 As well as promoting the secretion of white blood cells, serotonin receptors help modulate the peripheral immune system, which works alongside the central immune system and is responsible for all immune responses that take place outside of the brain. Georgia Day, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2024 But the large number is putting a strain even on cities like New York that have traditionally prided themselves as being receptors of immigrants from around the world. Ann E. Marimow, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024 Pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women have different susceptibility to UTIs, and their estrogen receptor levels in the bladder differ, meaning that their mast cells could act differently, Kaul noted. Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 1 Mar. 2024 All chitons have aesthetes, a wildly synesthetic all-in-one receptor that enables them to sense light as well as chemical and mechanical cues in the environment. Quanta Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024 This generally works well unless saturated fat blocks liver receptors from accurately reporting blood cholesterol concentration. Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 29 Feb. 2024 In animal experiments, hitting those receptors indeed suppresses appetite. Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2024 There are no pain receptors in the retina so this can happen without feeling pain. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 29 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.

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of receptor was in 1898

Dictionary Entries Near receptor

Cite this Entry

“Receptor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/receptor. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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

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