inhibition

noun

in·hi·bi·tion | \ ˌin-hə-ˈbi-shən

, ˌi-nə-\

Definition of inhibition

1a : 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)

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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

Once the sun goes down, the pools switch to clothing optional—so be ready to check your inhibitions at the door. — Alex Schechter, National Geographic, "Here is the ultimate hot springs road trip in Colorado," 24 June 2019 Research has shown that your prefrontal cortex — the part responsible for factors like inhibition, high-level functioning, and attention — continues growing until around age 25. — Nicole Saporita, Good Housekeeping, "The Science of How Your Body Ages," 29 May 2019 In May, though, his inhibitions loosened a bit when his felony convictions were knocked down to misdemeanors. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Up in smoke: Why thousands of marijuana convictions were reduced and others were not," 10 June 2019 Even so, Arthur isn't exactly perfect, and his lifetime of crime has left him with a natural sense for it, or at least no inhibition against it. — Daniel Starkey, Ars Technica, "Red Dead Redemption II review: Getting muddy in the wide-open frontier," 25 Oct. 2018 Doctors believe the drug works because CBD increases inhibition, thus helping to prevent the firing of seizure-triggering neurotransmitters, the brain’s chemical messengers. — Debra Kamin, Newsweek, "Is Marijuana the World’s Most Effective Treatment for Autism?," 15 Feb. 2018 Combing massages all of the acupoints of the head, which regulates excitement and inhibition in of the cerebral cortex. — Zoe Weiner, Allure, "Jade and Rose Quartz Combs Are The Latest Trend in Hair Care," 27 July 2018 The shy and uptight sacrifice their inhibitions for the gift of clear, soft skin. — Katheryn Erickson, Town & Country, "Beauty Address: Dangene's Institute of Skinovation," 16 Feb. 2014 In humans, this transporter regulates mood and, when exposed to MDMA, loosens social inhibitions—part of why ecstasy is so popular as a party drug. — John Wenz, Popular Mechanics, "Octopuses Take Ecstasy for Science and Become More Social Creatures," 20 Sep. 2018

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.

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Last Updated

13 Jul 2019

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Time Traveler for inhibition

The first known use of inhibition was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for inhibition

inhibition

noun

English Language Learners Definition of inhibition

: a nervous feeling that prevents you from expressing your thoughts, emotions, or desires

technical : the act of preventing or slowing the activity or occurrence of something

See the full definition for inhibition in the English Language Learners 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 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