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
Other target genes included MC1R (melanocortin 1 receptor), which regulates melanin production, in order to produce mice with golden hair rather than the usual dark fur and a variant associated with changes in body weight.
—
Katie Hunt, CNN, 4 Mar. 2025
Half received semaglutide, a type of GLP-1 receptor agonist, while the other half received no treatment.
—Dr. Christopher Wachuku, ABC News, 12 Feb. 2025
The drugs, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, work by mimicking hormones in the gut and the brain to regulate appetite and feelings of fullness.
—Carla K. Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2025
Anything those receptors bind to, such as bacteria and organic debris, are considered edible, while things that cannot bind to those receptors, such as rocks, are classified as inedible.
—Kate Adamala, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for receptor
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Katie Hunt, CNN, 4 Mar. 2025
Half received semaglutide, a type of GLP-1 receptor agonist, while the other half received no treatment.
—Dr. Christopher Wachuku, ABC News, 12 Feb. 2025
The drugs, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, work by mimicking hormones in the gut and the brain to regulate appetite and feelings of fullness.
—Carla K. Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2025
Anything those receptors bind to, such as bacteria and organic debris, are considered edible, while things that cannot bind to those receptors, such as rocks, are classified as inedible.
—Kate Adamala, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for receptor
Cite this Entry
“Receptor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/receptor. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.
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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