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
Many people don’t realize that 90 to 95% of our serotonin and serotonin receptors are in the gut itself.
—
Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 28 Oct. 2024
Most of these medications, with the exception of Botox, are glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and work by reducing your appetite.
—Karen Berger, Pharmd, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2024
By either lowering estrogen levels or blocking estrogen receptors, the growth of hormone-sensitive tumors is slowed.
—Tlalit Bussi Tel Tzure, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
So a good example is a subtype of lung cancer, which is driven by a mutation in the epidermal growth factor receptor, or EGFR.
—quantamagazine.org, 15 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for receptor 
Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 28 Oct. 2024
Most of these medications, with the exception of Botox, are glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and work by reducing your appetite.
—Karen Berger, Pharmd, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2024
By either lowering estrogen levels or blocking estrogen receptors, the growth of hormone-sensitive tumors is slowed.
—Tlalit Bussi Tel Tzure, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
So a good example is a subtype of lung cancer, which is driven by a mutation in the epidermal growth factor receptor, or EGFR.
—quantamagazine.org, 15 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for receptor
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 4 Nov. 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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