inhibition

noun

in·​hi·​bi·​tion ˌin-hə-ˈbi-shən 

ˌi-nə-

1

: an inner impediment to free activity, expression, or functioning: such as

a

: a mental process imposing restraint upon behavior or another mental process (such as a desire)

b

: a restraining of the function of a bodily organ or an agent (such as an enzyme)

2

a

: the act of inhibiting : the state of being inhibited

b

: something that forbids, debars, or restricts

Synonyms

• constraint
• continence
• discipline
• discretion
• refrainment
• repression
• reserve
• restraint
• self-command
• self-control
• self-restraint
• suppression

Examples of inhibition in a Sentence

She laughed loudly and without inhibition.

an innate inhibition made it difficult for him to tell his girlfriend what he was really feeling

Recent Examples on the Web

Just in time for the full moon in Libra on April 12, Luna will illuminate your 12th house of secrets, inhibitions and unconscious patterns, urging you to let go of patterns that no longer serve you. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025

His research team, in partnership with associate professor Sakiko Okumoto at Texas A&M University, hopes to study plant mechanisms in sorghum and capitalize on its innate ability to inhibit nitrogen loss, a process known as biological nitrification inhibition (BNI). —Robin Roenker, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025

Read More: 8 Things to Say During a Fight With Your Partner Swearing seems to help people shed their social inhibitions, according to Stephens, one of the study’s authors. —Stacey Colino, Time, 1 Apr. 2025

Those raising awareness of the Arabic Facebook posts feel no such inhibition. —Ben Sales, Sun Sentinel, 24 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing inhibition

• contact inhibition
• feedback inhibition

Rhymes for inhibition

• abolition
• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• competition
• composition
• definition
• deglutition
• demolition

Kids Definition

inhibition

noun

in·​hi·​bi·​tion ˌin-(h)ə-ˈbish-ən 

1

a

: the act of inhibiting : the state of being inhibited

b

: something that inhibits

2

: an inner force that prevents or makes difficult the free expression of thoughts, emotions, or desires

Medical Definition

inhibition

noun

in·​hi·​bi·​tion ˌin-(h)ə-ˈbish-ən 

: the act or an instance of inhibiting or the state of being inhibited: as

a(1)

: a stopping or checking of a bodily action : a restraining of the function of an organ or an agent (as a digestive fluid or enzyme)

inhibition of the heartbeat by stimulation of the vagus nerve

inhibition of plantar reflexes

(2)

: interference with or retardation or prevention of a process or activity

inhibition of bacterial growth

b(1)

: a desirable restraint or check upon the free or spontaneous instincts or impulses of an individual guided or directed by the social and cultural forces of the environment

the self-control so developed is called inhibition

—C. W. Russell

(2)

: a neurotic restraint upon a normal or beneficial impulse or activity caused by psychological inner conflicts or by sociocultural forces of the environment

other outspoken neurotic manifestations are general inhibitions such as inability to think, to concentrate

—Muriel Ivimey

inhibitions, phobias, compulsions, and other neurotic patterns

—Psychological Abstracts