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

Go Dark Once grass seeds are in the proper receptacle, store them in an area where there isn't any light. —Lauren David, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Mar. 2025

The outlet said the issues were so serious that boom operators were having to use shadows cast on the receiver aircraft to guide the fueling device into the receptacle, an operation made more difficult on cloudy days. —Brendan Cole, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025

Other elements that could be refurbished include public seating, village furnishings, decorative stop signs, receptacles, planters, bike racks, and landscaping. —Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2025

Think large receptacles filled with blood that have air bubbles passing through them. —Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025

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

Rhymes for receptacle

• sceptical
• skeptical

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