- a sensory nerve ending that changes specific stimuli into nerve impulses
- any of various devices that receive information, signals, etc
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
re•cep•tor
(ri sep′tər),USA pronunciation n.
- Physiology, Cell Biologyan end organ or a group of end organs of sensory or afferent neurons, specialized to be sensitive to stimulating agents, as touch or heat.
- Biochemistry, Cell Biology[Cell Biol.]any of various specific protein molecules in surface membranes of cells and organelles to which complementary molecules, as hormones, neurotransmitters, antigens, or antibodies, may become bound.
- Buildingthe panlike base of a stall shower.
- Latin receptor. See reception, -tor
- Old French
- late Middle English receptour 1400–50
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
receptor /rɪˈsɛptə/ n
'receptor' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
affinity
- alpha-blocker
- chemoreceptor
- mechanoreceptor
- proprioceptor
- reflex arc
- adaptation
- adrenoreceptor
- agonist
- alpha-adrenergic
- alpha-adrenergic receptor
- alpha receptor
- baroreceptor
- beta-adrenergic
- beta-adrenergic receptor
- beta receptor
- caloreceptor
- camera tube
- CD4
- coated vesicle
- complex
- electroreceptor
- exteroceptor
- frigidoreceptor
- histamine blocker
- IgD
- interoceptor
- isoproterenol
- ligand
- Pacinian corpuscle
- phonoreceptor
- photoreceptor
- pressoreceptor
- pseudophone
- reflex
- retinula
- rheoreceptor
- tactile corpuscle
- tangoreceptor
- terbutaline
- thermoreceptor
- yohimbine
- sense organ
- stretch receptor
- synapse