receptacle Definition
re·cep·ta·cle (ri sep′tə kəl)
noun
- anything used to contain or hold something else; container; vessel
- an electrical wall outlet designed for use with a plug
Etymology: ModL receptaculum
Bot.- the enlarged upper end of the stalk of a flowering plant, on which the flower parts grow
- any of a number of cuplike or disklike structures supporting spores, sex organs, etc.
Etymology: ME < L receptaculum < receptare, freq. of recipere: see receive
receptacle Synonyms
receptacle Usage Examples
Converse of object
- cover: Rubbish should be stored in covered receptacles and suitable arrangements should be made for its proper disposal.
- become: More importantly, Cancer Kylie is now going to become the receptacle for masses more of this twaddle.
- provide: But could the net provide the ideal receptacle for Gadda, this most spherical of writers?
- design: My dish is attached to a pole that resides in a receptacle designed for just such a purpose.
- use: Place in a receptacle used only for this purpose.
- have: The feeder usually has a small receptacle in which a sugar solution is placed.
Preposition: for
- water: The example the Commission gives is of 'a receptacle for holy water [ being ] filled with objectionable matter ' .
- waste: Interference with waste sites and receptacles for waste 29.
- litter: Unfortunately this is now a receptacle for village litter and dead leaves.
Adjective modifier
- suitable: The pouch is held directly over the toilet or a suitable receptacle for emptying.
- primary: In both the above case there is no limit per primary receptacle.
- similar: There was a similar receptacle for potatoes in the kitchen.
- common: The chamber pot ( a wide jug with a handle ) was the most common toilet receptacle.
- small: The feeder usually has a small receptacle in which a sugar solution is placed.
- other: Every boy had a tin or other receptacle containing jagged pieces of metal which had once been shells or even bombs.
Noun used with modifier
- waste: Storing cleaning supplies and a waste receptacle near the work station can help promote regular surface cleaning.
- collection: At the Civic Center there is a green cylindrical collection receptacle for household batteries ( eg.
- power: Plug the male end of the cord into the female power receptacle on the back of MacCharlie.
- metal: Use metal receptacles with closely fitting lids for waste such as floor sweepings.
- cigarette: Each smoking shelter comes complete with a cigarette butt receptacle to keep the area free from cigarette litter.
Browse dictionary entries near receptacle
- ‹ recently
- ‹ recent
- ‹ recension
- ‹ receiving stolen property
- ‹ receiving set
- ‹ receiving line
- ‹ receiving blanket
- ‹ receiving
- ‹ receivership
- ‹ receiver
- reception ›
- reception room ›
- receptionist ›
- receptive ›
- receptor ›
- recess ›
- recession ›
- recessional ›
- recessive ›
- recharge ›

