receptacles

Meanings

1. 1nouncountableformal

   Containers or hollow objects used for holding or storing things.

   Grammar: Countable noun; the singular is "receptacle", and you can say "a receptacle" or "receptacles".

   Patterns

   • a receptacle for something
   • place something in a receptacle

   The bins along the path are receptacles for general waste.

   Please put your used batteries in the receptacles near the door.

   These clay receptacles were once used to store oil and grain.

2. 2nouncountabletechnicalAmerican

   The slots or sockets in a wall where you plug in electrical devices.

   Grammar: Countable and usually plural in this electrical sense; American English often says "outlets".

   Patterns

   • an electrical receptacle
   • plug something into a receptacle

   The electrician installed new receptacles in the kitchen.

   Make sure the receptacle is switched off before you work on the wiring.

   Older houses often have too few receptacles for modern appliances.

3. 3nouncountablebiologytechnical

   The part of a plant that holds the parts of a flower or seed.

   Grammar: Countable technical noun used in botany; often singular in descriptions of one flower.

   Patterns

   • the receptacle of a flower

   In some flowers the receptacle swells as the seeds develop.

   The petals and stamens are attached to the receptacle.

Word forms

Common combinations

electrical receptacle

The lamp would not work until we found a free electrical receptacle.

a receptacle for waste

Each room has a small receptacle for waste paper.

plug into a receptacle

Plug the charger into the receptacle beside the bed.

storage receptacle

They keep the tools in a metal storage receptacle.

Synonyms and how they differ

container

The everyday word for anything that holds something; "receptacle" sounds more formal or technical.

outlet

The usual American word for the wall socket where you plug things in.

socket

Common in British English for the same electrical fitting; "receptacle" is the technical term.

Word family

receptacle noun

The singular form: one container or socket.

reception noun

The act of receiving something, or a formal social event.

receptive adjective

Willing to listen to or accept new ideas.

Commonly confused: receptacles or receptacle vs. reception?

Practice

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