exteroceptor

noun

ex·​tero·​cep·​tor ˌek-stə-rō-ˈsep-tər How to pronounce exteroceptor (audio)
: a sense organ excited by exteroceptive stimuli

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of exteroceptor was in 1906

Dictionary Entries Near exteroceptor

Cite this Entry

“Exteroceptor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exteroceptor. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

exteroceptor

noun
ex·​tero·​cep·​tor -ˈsep-tər How to pronounce exteroceptor (audio)
: a sense receptor (as of touch, temperature, smell, vision, or hearing) excited by exteroceptive stimuli compare interoceptor

More from Merriam-Webster on exteroceptor

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!