receptor

American  

[ri-sep-ter] / rɪˈsɛp tər /

noun

1. Physiology. an end organ or a group of end organs of sensory or afferent neurons, specialized to be sensitive to stimulating agents, as touch or heat.

2. Cell Biology. 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.

3. the panlike base of a stall shower.

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receptor British  

/ rɪˈsɛptə /

noun

1. physiol a sensory nerve ending that changes specific stimuli into nerve impulses

2. any of various devices that receive information, signals, etc

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receptor Scientific  

/ rĭ-sĕp′tər /

1. A nerve ending or other structure in the body, such as a photoreceptor, specialized to sense or receive stimuli. Skin receptors respond to stimuli such as touch and pressure and signal the brain by activating portions of the nervous system. Receptors in the nose detect the presence of certain chemicals, leading to the perception of odor.

2. A structure or site, found on the surface of a cell or within a cell, that can bind to a hormone, antigen, or other chemical substance and thereby begin a change in the cell. For example, when a mast cell within the body encounters an allergen, specialized receptors on the mast cell bind to the allergen, resulting in the release of histamine by the mast cell. The histamine then binds to histamine receptors in other cells of the body, which initiate the response known as inflammation as well as other responses. In this way, the symptoms of an allergic reaction are produced. Antihistamine drugs work by preventing the binding of histamine to histamine receptors.

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Etymology

Origin of receptor

1400–50; late Middle English receptour < Old French < Latin receptor. See reception, -tor

Explanation

A receptor is a protein in a cell that binds to a substance and causes a specific effect on the cell. It's also the name of a cell that senses stimuli like pain, heat, or light. Receptor shares a Latin root with receive that means "take in or admit." Both kinds of biological receptors work by receiving something and responding to it. In the case of sensory receptors, these tiny cells take in stimuli and send information through your nervous system so your body can respond — by closing your eyes against a bright light or dropping a hot pan, for example.

Example Sentences

GLP-1 receptor agonists include widely used medications such as semaglutide, liraglutide, and dulaglutide.

From Science Daily • May 21, 2026

Retatrutide, an investigational triple hormone receptor agonist, delivered positive weight-loss results in a late-stage clinical trial in certain overweight adults without diabetes.

From Barron's • May 21, 2026

Retatrutide is a so-called triple hormone receptor agonist, which works by activating the body’s receptors for glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and glucagon, hormones that regulate blood sugar and digestion.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

There are even differences in how people respond to the different drugs, because Wegovy is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, and Zepbound is a GLP-1/GIP agonist.

From MarketWatch • May 18, 2026

It then begins dividing, replicating itself into a new colony of identical cells, all labeled with the same receptor, primed with the same question.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas