# receiver

/ɹəˈsivɝ/ (US) · /ɹɪsˈiːvɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/receiver
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. phone handset

noun · CEFR B1

the part of a telephone that you hold to your ear and speak into.

For teachers: the handset of a telephone, containing the earpiece and microphone.

- He picked up the receiver and waited for the dial tone.
- She slammed the receiver back onto the cradle in frustration after the line went dead for the third time that morning.

Usage: Often used in the context of landline telephones.

### 2. electronic device

noun · CEFR B2

a piece of equipment that picks up radio or television signals.

For teachers: an electronic device that converts incoming electromagnetic waves into sound or light signals.

- The radio receiver was old but it could still pick up local stations.
- The satellite receiver requires a clear line of sight to the southern sky to maintain a stable high-definition signal.

### 3. legal official

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

a person chosen by a court to manage a company that cannot pay its debts.

For teachers: a person appointed by a court or a creditor to manage the financial affairs of a bankrupt person or business.

- The company went into debt, and a receiver was appointed to sell its assets.
- The court-appointed receiver spent months auditing the firm's accounts to determine how much capital could be returned to the primary creditors.

Usage: Commonly used in the phrase 'to go into receivership'.

### 4. sports player

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

a player who is supposed to catch the ball.

For teachers: an offensive player whose primary role is to catch forward passes.

- The quarterback threw a long pass to the wide receiver.
- The receiver managed to stay in bounds while securing the catch, resulting in a crucial first down for the home team.

### 5. criminal context

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal

someone who buys or hides stolen goods.

For teachers: a person who knowingly accepts or purchases stolen property.

- The police arrested the receiver who was selling the stolen jewellery.
- Under local statutes, the receiver of stolen goods can face penalties as severe as those imposed on the original thief.

### 6. chemistry container

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a container used to collect liquids during a scientific experiment.

For teachers: a vessel designed to collect the products of distillation or other chemical processes.

- The liquid dripped slowly from the tube into the glass receiver.
- The chemist carefully detached the receiver from the condenser to prevent any atmospheric contamination of the purified distillate.

## Examples

- He picked up the receiver to answer the call.
- The satellite receiver allows the television to pick up hundreds of channels from around the world.
- In any communication model, the message must be encoded by the sender and successfully decoded by the receiver to ensure the intended meaning is preserved.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.