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

Clinical results for remibrutinib in relapsing MS appear to be similar to Roche's rival BTK inhibitor fenebrutinib, but less effective at preventing relapses than anti-CD20 treatments such as Kesimpta, according to Bar-Or. — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2026

Women taking aromatase inhibitors should make that decision with their gynecologist and oncologist. — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 27 Oct. 2026

Another class of diabetes drugs being explored in this regard are the SGL2 inhibitors such as dapagliflozin and empagliflozin—these help your kidneys to push glucose out of the bloodstream and into the urine. — Gavin Francis, The New York Review of Books, 24 Oct. 2026

That study also reported that the therapy lowered the risk of the cancer spreading to other sites by 59% compared to the checkpoint inhibitor alone. — Alice Park, Time, 22 Oct. 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