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

Prevent future rust with a yearly corrosion inhibitor or by repainting with weather-resistant products. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 22 June 2026

Kim Adamski’s husband, takes a biologic TNF inhibitor, a specialty medicine keeping him in remission from Crohn’s. —Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 22 June 2026

The company's lead compound is the first MNK inhibitor developed to treat pain and advance to human clinical trials (cancer has been another area of focus for MNK inhibitors). —Jeff Marks, CNBC, 16 June 2026

As the Mayo Clinic explains, Duloxetine is a type of selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SSNRIs) which works by increasing serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. —Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 15 June 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