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
Apparently, cow udders are strong receptors for the highly contagious infection, which finds a home swimming in raw milk.
—
Jim Martin, The Denver Post, 4 Feb. 2025
Unlike opioids, which work by latching onto receptor proteins on nerves in the central nervous system, suzetrigine works only in peripheral nerves—that is, those outside the brain and spinal cord.
—Ars Technica, 31 Jan. 2025
This trial, funded by the National Cancer Institute, uses chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells that are injected directly into the dog's lymph nodes.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
The taste receptor cells in your mouth and the olfactory receptor cells in your nose may wrongly perceive foods as metallic, rancid, and bitter.
—Corey Whelan, Verywell Health, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for receptor 
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Jim Martin, The Denver Post, 4 Feb. 2025
Unlike opioids, which work by latching onto receptor proteins on nerves in the central nervous system, suzetrigine works only in peripheral nerves—that is, those outside the brain and spinal cord.
—Ars Technica, 31 Jan. 2025
This trial, funded by the National Cancer Institute, uses chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells that are injected directly into the dog's lymph nodes.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
The taste receptor cells in your mouth and the olfactory receptor cells in your nose may wrongly perceive foods as metallic, rancid, and bitter.
—Corey Whelan, Verywell Health, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for receptor
Dictionary Entries Near receptor
Cite this Entry
“Receptor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/receptor. Accessed 12 Feb. 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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