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

Human flu viruses, including those that cause seasonal influenza, have evolved to infect cells through alpha 2,6 receptors. —Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2025

But the mutations seen in both severe cases allowed these versions of the virus to attach to receptors in the human mucous membrane. —Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 3 Jan. 2025

The receptors, akin to keyholes, on human cells aren’t great matches to any of the subtypes keys higher than the H3. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 20 Dec. 2024

The virus hasn’t found a way to efficiently infect humans; its receptors prefer animal hosts. —Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing receptor

• alpha-receptor
• beta-receptor
• selective estrogen receptor modulator
• stretch receptor
• T cell receptor

Kids 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