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

"Strikingly, when this receptor was removed from the mice, the development of arterial plaques dropped significantly in some areas and disruptions to the gut microbiome were minimized."

From Science Daily • Jun. 9, 2026

Using data from three clinical trials that included 1,119 participants with diabetes, researchers found that people carrying PAM variants generally responded less well to GLP-1 receptor agonists.

From Science Daily • Jun. 5, 2026

However, these antibodies have been designed to spot markings - called folate receptor alpha - that appear on the outside of some ovarian cancer cells.

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026

Food and Drug Administration approved Avlayah, which taps the transferrin receptor to bring in the enzyme that is missing from the brain cells of children born with Hunter Syndrome.

From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026

Repeated exposure of an animal to the same odorant, in small doses, leads to great enhancement of acuity, suggesting the possibility that new receptor sites are added to the cells.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas