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

The machine consists of a small steam boiler, beside which another receptacle to contain naphtha is placed, located on the front portion of a low wagon, the body of which is of iron. —Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 17 Mar. 2025

Fresh milk pours into a plastic receptacle below her. —Colette Davidson, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Feb. 2025

Formed to offer genetic testing services directly to consumers, who spit into a receptacle and mailed it to the company for DNA analysis, its founders included Anne Wojcicki, who was married to Google co-founder Sergei Brin at the time. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2025

In the footage, the individual pulls up to the secluded dumpster in their car and quickly dumps the cat on top of the overflowing trash receptacle. —Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 13 Mar. 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