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

Where the garbage can is located and what kind of waste goes into it should determine how often it should be taken to a garage or outdoor receptacle. —Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Sep. 2024

Advertisement As the evening dragged on, I was resigned to just discarding the flower in a receptacle. —Deborah Netburn, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2024

Many robot vacuums have automatic dustbin emptying, or a smaller dustbin on the unit itself that automatically empties into a larger dustbin receptacle in the dock — like the Roborock Q5+ Robot Vacuum. —Katherine Alex Beaven, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 2024

Pichi Design Other features making a comeback include a fold-out replaceable high-carbon steel surgical blade; a magnetic receptacle which accommodates any third-party quarter-inch screwdriver bit; a pry bar/nail puller; and of course a good ol' bottle opener. —Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 24 Sep. 2024

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

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