inhibitor

noun

in·​hib·​i·​tor in-ˈhi-bə-tər 

: one that inhibits: such as

a

: an agent that slows or interferes with a chemical action

b

: a substance that reduces or suppresses the activity of another substance (such as an enzyme)

Examples of inhibitor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ending esters The reaction the research team worked on (involving some of the same people who designed snake venom inhibitors) is the breakdown of what's called an ester bond. —John Timmer, Ars Technica, 14 Feb. 2025

This includes monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) drugs. —Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 4 Feb. 2025

Key findings in the report include how high interest rates have been a major growth inhibitor for small businesses with small business employment experiencing its largest decline (year-over-year) since 2015. —Alexandra Pastore, WWD, 15 Jan. 2025

Once researchers identified the specific sodium channel that was selectively active in pain nerves, called Nav 1.8, scientists at Vertex combed through libraries of compounds to find an effective inhibitor to block the opening of the channel. —Alice Park, TIME, 30 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1611, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing inhibitor

• ACE inhibitor
• protease inhibitor
• proton pump inhibitor
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

Medical Definition

inhibitor

noun

in·​hib·​i·​tor in-ˈhib-ət-ər 

: one that inhibits: as

a

: an agent that slows or interferes with a chemical reaction

b

: a substance that reduces the activity of another substance (as an enzyme)

c

: a gene that checks the normal effect of another nonallelic gene when both are present