inhibition

noun in·hi·bi·tion \ ˌin-hə-ˈbi-shən , ˌi-nə- \

Updated on: 18 May 2018

Definition of inhibition

1 a : the act of inhibiting : the state of being inhibited

b : something that forbids, debars, or restricts

2 : 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)

See inhibition defined for English-language learners

See inhibition defined for kids

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 of inhibition from the Web

The loss of a portion of the frontal lobe did have certain deleterious effects: the patients developed a lack of inhibition of inappropriate emotions or actions, motor deficits, or uncontrollable repetition of specific action or words.

— christof koch, Scientific American, "What Is Consciousness?," 8 May 2018
Researchers in India have gotten fairly far in the development of a nonsurgical vasectomy called RISUG, which stands for reversible inhibition of sperm under guidance.

— julia belluz, Vox, "A pill, a gel, and a nonsurgical vasectomy are making their way through clinical trials.," 4 May 2018
That's certainly true of Old Habits, whose novel takes on classic junk foods trigger primal urges that can weaken your inhibitions just as easily as the booze.

— mike sula, Chicago Reader, "Old Habits is bar food reborn," 20 Apr. 2018
Your tour’s first stop is at the Fountain of Youth, where you be asked to drop all inhibitions and to remember your childhood.

— michelle gant, Fox News, "Decades old 'Wizard of Oz' theme park reopening," 19 Apr. 2018
Cost: $355 – $709 Lightning in a Bottle May 23-28, 2018 Bradley, CA A post shared by Lightning in a Bottle (@libfestival) on Nov 21, 2017 at 1:16pm PST Let go of your inhibitions and embrace a more colorful, spiritual, out-there version of yourself.

— brittany martin, Los Angeles Magazine, "Your Complete Guide to Music Festivals in 2018," 5 Apr. 2018
While other kids scribbled and colored without inhibition, Grayson had to be perfect.

— lindsay schnell, USA TODAY, "Duke's Grayson Allen, controversial and compelling, chases title in final NCAA tournament," 13 Mar. 2018
That sense of inhibition flies out the window when ordering in a group.

— alex williams, New York Times, "Thanks for Not Sharing! My Fine Dining Isn’t Your Fork Orgy," 21 Mar. 2018
But Phillip's new perspective eliminates his inhibitions.

— ryan knighton, Popular Mechanics, "The Truth Is in the Muck," 6 Oct. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inhibition.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of inhibition

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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inhibition Synonyms

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

INHIBITION Defined for English Language Learners

inhibition

noun

Definition of inhibition for English Language Learners

: a nervous feeling that prevents you from expressing your thoughts, emotions, or desires
: the act of preventing or slowing the activity or occurrence of something

Medical Dictionary

inhibition

noun in·hi·bi·tion \ ˌin-(h)ə-ˈbish-ən \

medical Definition of inhibition

: 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