photoreceptor

noun

pho·​to·​re·​cep·​tor ˌfō-tō-ri-ˈsep-tər How to pronounce photoreceptor (audio)
: a receptor for light stimuli

Examples of photoreceptor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Eventually, though, even the eye's rod photoreceptors used to perceive dim light went away, and the mole was left completely blind. Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 2 Jan. 2025 Basically, photoreceptors in the eye take two main forms, rods and cones. Elaine Glusac, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025 Then the mole lost functional genes for cone photoreceptors, which are involved in perceiving bright light and color vision. Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 2 Jan. 2025 With 12 types of photoreceptors (compared to humans' piddly three – red, green, and blue), mantis shrimp can see all the colors, including parts of the ultraviolet and infrared spectrum. New Atlas, 24 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for photoreceptor 

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of photoreceptor was in 1906

Dictionary Entries Near photoreceptor

Cite this Entry

“Photoreceptor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/photoreceptor. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

Medical Definition

photoreceptor

noun
pho·​to·​re·​cep·​tor -ˈsep-tər How to pronounce photoreceptor (audio)
: a receptor for light stimuli

More from Merriam-Webster on photoreceptor

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