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

Calcineurin Inhibitors Calcineurin inhibitors are commonly used after an organ transplant to prevent the immune system from attacking the transplanted organ. — Karen Berger, Verywell Health, 14 Aug. 2026

Treatment options for p-aHUS can vary, but Chin-Hong said there are medications available for p-aHUS, called complement inhibitors, that target the overactive complement system. — Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026

To protect himself, however, Trask has created an inhibitor field that de-powers any mutant nearby, dulling Wolverine’s healing power and ferocity. — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026

In a cohort study of 606,434 US veterans with type 2 diabetes published in BMJ in March 2026, starting a GLP-1 receptor agonist rather than an SGLT-2 inhibitor was associated with a 14% lower overall risk of developing a substance use disorder. — Jesse M. Pines, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

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

Rhymes for inhibitor

• exhibitor

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