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 That development, along with market reforms starting in 1979 that nudged China toward capitalism, shaped modern mainland China as a receptacle for Western ideas and culture. TIME, 17 Feb. 2024 His big, bold works were filled with swirls of bright paints portraying people and animals as receptacles for ancient spiritual myths. Jordan Michael Smith, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2024 Later, the pit served as a waste receptacle for everyday items, including various brooches, coins and ceramics. Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2024 Lot owners will be responsible for maintenance beyond the one-time funding assistance, which includes bollards, planters, trash receptacles, benches and other beautification efforts. Detroit Free Press, 21 Feb. 2024 But when traffic slowed, Love pulled on latex gloves and went to work, wiping down sinks and toilets, emptying the trash receptacles inside bathroom stalls. Pam Kelley, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 Tesla has been allegedly dumping hazardous waste in dumpsters and other receptacles that aren't designed for such materials and has failed to adequately label and store such waste, according to the lawsuit, first reported by Reuters. Kate Irwin, PCMAG, 1 Feb. 2024 One receptacle – second stall on the right – kept eluding her. Pam Kelley, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 Her travels prompt her to examine how people of color are excluded in cultural emblems like kitschy road signs, or how dolls serve as the earliest receptacles of little girls’ rage. Emma Copley Eisenberg, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'receptacle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near receptacle

Cite this Entry

“Receptacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/receptacle. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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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