noun
receptacle
rih-SEHP-tuh-kl
Receptacle (noun) means a container designed to hold something. Example: “Please put your trash in the receptacle by the door.”
noun
1
A container designed to hold something.
"Please put your trash in the receptacle by the door."
2
A wall socket for plugging in electrical devices.
"The electrician installed a new receptacle in the kitchen."
3
In botany, the part of the flower stalk that the petals and other floral parts attach to.
"The strawberry we eat is actually the swollen receptacle of the flower."
How to use receptacle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething built to hold or receive things — from a trash can to an electrical outlet to a flower part.
UK vs US
In everyday US electrical usage, "receptacle" is the technical word for what most people just call an "outlet."
Common pairings
electrical receptacle
waste receptacle
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Word forms
- Plural
- receptacles
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Please put your trash in the _____ by the door.
Etymology
From Latin receptaculum ("container, place of storage"), from recipere ("to receive").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for receptacle
See all rhymes for receptacle →Frequently asked questions
What does “receptacle” mean?
The word “receptacle” means a container designed to hold something. In plain terms, something built to hold or receive things — from a trash can to an electrical outlet to a flower part.
How do you pronounce “receptacle”?
“Receptacle” is pronounced rih-SEHP-tuh-kl (/ɹəˈsɛp.tə.k(ə)l/ in IPA).
How do you use “receptacle” in a sentence?
Here is “receptacle” used in a sentence: “Please put your trash in the receptacle by the door.”
What is another word for “receptacle”?
Words with a similar meaning to “receptacle” include thalamus, torus and socket.
What part of speech is “receptacle”?
“Receptacle” is a noun.
Where does the word “receptacle” come from?
The word “receptacle” comes from Latin. From Latin receptaculum ("container, place of storage"), from recipere ("to receive").
How many meanings does “receptacle” have?
“Receptacle” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a container designed to hold something.
