receptacle

American  

[ri-sep-tuh-kuhl] / rɪˈsɛp tə kəl /

noun

1. a container, device, etc., that receives or holds something.

   a receptacle for trash.

2. Botany. the modified or expanded portion of the stem or axis that bears the organs of a single flower or the florets of a flower head.

3. Electricity. a contact device installed at an outlet for the connection of a portable lamp, appliance, or other electric device by means of a plug and flexible cord.

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receptacle British  

/ rɪˈsɛptəkəl /

noun

1. an object that holds something; container

2. botany

   1. the enlarged or modified tip of the flower stalk that bears the parts of the flower

   2. the shortened flattened stem bearing the florets of the capitulum of composite flowers such as the daisy

   3. the part of lower plants that bears the reproductive organs or spores

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receptacle Scientific  

/ rĭ-sĕp′tə-kəl /

1. The enlarged upper end of a flower stalk that bears the flower or group of flowers. The fleshy edible part of an apple is actually a modified receptacle.

2. See more at flower

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Etymology

Origin of receptacle

1375–1425; Middle English (< Old French ) < Latin receptāculum reservoir, equivalent to receptā ( re ) to take again, receive back (frequentative of recipere to receive ) + -culum -cle ²

Example Sentences

Composed as Day’s star rose in real time, the song was a receptacle for all of her conflicting feelings about her newfound attention.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

During an in-flight refueling mission, a rigid pipe is lowered from the tanker part of the aircraft and inserted into a small receptacle on the receiving aircraft.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

At the end of the day, a platform is a receptacle for posts; it is up to us what we do with it.

From Slate • Jun. 12, 2025

It was a partnership with a reusable packaging and logistics company called Reusables.com, which provided Tailwind and another Seattle area store, Cloud City Coffee, with branded cups and a QR code-operated drop-off receptacle.

From Salon • May 2, 2024

The sea is only a receptacle for all the prodigious, supernatural things that exist inside it.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr