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

Viking Therapeutics is developing a once-daily oral dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist. —Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2025

Case in point: glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, a class of drugs that are effective at controlling Type 2 diabetes and helping people lose weight loss and may prevent a wide range of chronic conditions from heart disease to dementia. —Arthur L. Kellermann, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025

However, the team found endocannabinoid receptors in and around the blood-brain barrier. —William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025

This chemical bonded to opioid receptors in the mice's brains and triggered a feeling of reward. —Andrea Muraskin, NPR, 15 Mar. 2025

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