receptacle

American  

[ri-sep-tuh-kuhl] / rɪˈsɛp tə kəl /

noun

receptacles plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• receptacles
  plural

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

Explanation

A receptacle is a container that's used for holding or storing things. If you are having a party on a rainy day, you can put a receptacle outside your door for your guests' umbrellas. The noun receptacle means any kind of container. For example, a trash receptacle holds your garbage and a receptacle for loose change can keep you from scattering coins all over your house. In botany, receptacle refers to the part of a stem that holds a plant's organs. The word receptacle comes from the Latin root word receptaculum, which describes a place to receive and store things.

Example Sentences

Fortunately, there’s a constitutional position that serves as a political blame receptacle: the vice president.

From Slate • Jun. 19, 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

Creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri described her collection as "demonstrating how clothing is a receptacle that affirms cultural, aesthetic and social codes".

From BBC • Mar. 8, 2025

As the evening dragged on, I was resigned to just discarding the flower in a receptacle.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 26, 2024

Dick dropped the binoculars into a leather case, a luxurious receptacle initialed H.W.C.

From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote