receptacle

noun

re·​cep·​ta·​cle ri-ˈsep-ti-kəl 

1

: one that receives and contains something : container

2

[New Latin receptaculum, from Latin]

a

: the end of the flower stalk upon which the floral organs are borne

b

: a structure or tissue (as of a fungus or fern) bearing spores or sporangia

3

: a mounted female electrical fitting that contains the live parts of the circuit

Synonyms

• container
• holder
• vessel

Examples of receptacle in a Sentence

She used the box as a receptacle for her jewelry.

place all wrappers in the trash receptacles at the entrances of the theater

Recent Examples on the Web

Searcy disposed of the baby’s remains in a garbage receptacle, per police, who searched for the remains but did not find them. —Richard Requena, Chicago Tribune, 25 Nov. 2024

The little cat got caught in a large dumpster in Fort Collins, Colo., on Friday, Nov. 15, while trying to exit head-first through a tiny hole near the bottom of the receptacle. —Rachel Raposas, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024

Her body was found the next day in a trash receptacle on the base near the living quarters for single soldiers. —Krcg Staff, Baltimore Sun, 2 Nov. 2024

Zendaya needs somewhere to stash her salad boxes and her Neverfull is the perfect receptacle. —Alice Newbold, Glamour, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin receptaculum, from receptare to receive, frequentative of recipere to receive

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

receptacle

noun

re·​cep·​ta·​cle ri-ˈsep-ti-kəl 

1

: something used to receive and contain smaller objects : container

2

: the enlarged end of a flower stalk upon which the parts of the flower grow