receptacle

noun

re·​cep·​ta·​cle ri-ˈsep-ti-kəl How to pronounce receptacle (audio)
1
: one that receives and contains something : container
2
[New Latin receptaculum, from Latin]
a
: the end of the flower stalk upon which the floral organs are borne
b
: a structure or tissue (as of a fungus or fern) bearing spores or sporangia
3
: a mounted female electrical fitting that contains the live parts of the circuit

Examples of receptacle in a Sentence

She used the box as a receptacle for her jewelry. place all wrappers in the trash receptacles at the entrances of the theater
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Go Dark Once grass seeds are in the proper receptacle, store them in an area where there isn't any light. Lauren David, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Mar. 2025 The outlet said the issues were so serious that boom operators were having to use shadows cast on the receiver aircraft to guide the fueling device into the receptacle, an operation made more difficult on cloudy days. Brendan Cole, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025 Other elements that could be refurbished include public seating, village furnishings, decorative stop signs, receptacles, planters, bike racks, and landscaping. Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2025 Think large receptacles filled with blood that have air bubbles passing through them. Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for receptacle

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin receptaculum, from receptare to receive, frequentative of recipere to receive

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of receptacle was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Receptacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/receptacle. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

receptacle

noun
re·​cep·​ta·​cle ri-ˈsep-ti-kəl How to pronounce receptacle (audio)
1
: something used to receive and contain smaller objects : container
2
: the enlarged end of a flower stalk upon which the parts of the flower grow

More from Merriam-Webster on receptacle

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