receptacles

Things that hold

Receptacles are containers or holders designed to receive and hold something.

The word applies broadly—from electrical outlets that receive plugs to trash receptacles that hold garbage to the enlarged tips of flower stems that hold floral parts.

Place recyclables in the blue receptacle.

The term often appears in formal or technical contexts where "container" might seem too casual.

containers

bins

Receptacles for storage

vesselsCarriers or containers
holdersItems that contain others
basketsWoven carrying containers

boxes · jars · cans · buckets · tubs · vases · urns · bowls · pots · canisters

electrical

outlets

Points of release or connection

socketsHollow connectors for insertion
plugsThings that block openings
connectorsDevices that join things

jacks · terminals · ports · adapters · prongs · grounding · wall plates · power strips · extension cords · duplex

waste

trash cans

Receptacles for refuse

garbage binsContainers for refuse
dustbinsContainers for household refuse
wastebasketsSmall refuse containers

dumpsters · recycling bins · compost bins · litter bins · ashtrays · spittoons · wheelie bins · rubbish bins · landfill

botanical

calyx

Collective sepals encircling petals

sepalsOuter whorl protecting buds
ovaryFemale reproductive gland
torusDoughnut-shaped solid

pistil · pollen · stigma · anther · carpel · blossom · floret · inflorescence · pedicel · perianth

receptacles

bins

outlets

trash cans

calyx

receptacles

Opposites

Categories

Family