inhibit

[in-hib-it]

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verb (used with object)

to restrain, hinder, arrest, or check (an action, impulse, etc.).
to prohibit; forbid.
Psychology. to consciously or unconsciously suppress or restrain (psychologically or sociologically unacceptable behavior).

Chemistry. to decrease the rate of action of or stop (a chemical reaction).

Origin of inhibit

1425–75; late Middle English inhibiten < Latin inhibitus, past participle of inhibēre to restrain, equivalent to in- in-² + -hibēre, combining form of habēre to have, hold

Related formsin·hib·it·a·ble, adjectivein·hib·i·to·ry

[in-hib-i-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] /ɪnˈhɪb ɪˈtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, in·hib·i·tive, adjectivein·ter·in·hib·i·tive, adjectivenon·in·hib·i·tive, adjectivenon·in·hib·i·to·ry, adjectiveo·ver·in·hib·it, verb (used with object)sub·in·hib·i·to·ry, adjectiveun·in·hib·it·ing, adjective

Synonyms for inhibit

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1. repress, discourage, obstruct. 2. interdict. See forbid.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for inhibit

hinder, obstruct, discourage, prohibit, forbid, suppress, outlaw, stymie, restrain, curb, impede, constrain, hog-tie, cramp, bar, avert, withhold, faze, bit, stop

Examples from the Web for inhibit

Contemporary Examples of inhibit

Studies have repeatedly shown that Plan B ok “does not inhibit implantation.”
Rand Paul’s Plan B for Pro-Life Critics
Olivia Nuzzi
October 5, 2014
If the technology works well, secrecy can inhibit its deployment.
Is the Pentagon’s $55 Billion Stealth Bomber Too Big a Secret?
Bill Sweetman
September 22, 2014
“Oil is antimicrobial and gets into the tissues of the mouth to inhibit bacterial growth,” says Caldecott.
Oil Pulling: Miracle Cure or Oily Mess?
DailyBurn
March 28, 2014
Since the FDA approved Plan B in 1999, repeated studies have shown the drug does not inhibit implantation.
Why Can’t the FDA Fix Outdated Birth Control Labels?
Tiffany Stanley
March 22, 2014
IUDs, also named in the Hobby Lobby and Conestoga suits, almost certainly can inhibit implantation.
Why Can’t the FDA Fix Outdated Birth Control Labels?
Tiffany Stanley
March 22, 2014

Historical Examples of inhibit

It shares, we said, with attention, the power to reënforce and to inhibit.
Psychotherapy
Hugo Mnsterberg
To close the path means to inhibit the idea which demands such action.
Psychotherapy
Hugo Mnsterberg
The wine would cleanse and at least inhibit bacterial growth.
Old-Time Makers of Medicine
James J. Walsh
Such excretions often serve to inhibit further multiplication.
Insects and Diseases
Rennie W. Doane
The finest—and no acute case of puritanism to inhibit his enjoyment.
Inside John Barth
William W. Stuart

British Dictionary definitions for inhibit

inhibit

verb -its, -iting or -ited (tr)

to restrain or hinder (an impulse, a desire, etc)
to prohibit; forbid
to stop, prevent, or decrease the rate of (a chemical reaction)
electronics
1. to prevent the occurrence of (a particular signal) in a circuit
2. to prevent the performance of (a particular operation)

Derived Formsinhibitable, adjectiveinhibitive or inhibitory, adjective

Word Origin for inhibit

C15: from Latin inhibēre to restrain, from in- ² + habēre to have

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for inhibit

early 15c., "to forbid, prohibit," back-formation from inhibition or else from Latin inhibitus, past participle of inhibere "to hold in, hold back, keep back" (see inhibition). Psychological sense (1876) is from earlier, softened meaning of "restrain, check, hinder" (1530s). Related: Inhibited; inhibiting.

inhibit in Medicine

inhibit

[ĭn-hĭb′ĭt]

To hold back; restrain.
To suppress or restrain a behavioral process, an impulse, or a desire consciously or unconsciously.
To prevent or decrease the rate of a chemical reaction.
To decrease, limit, or block the action or function of something in the body, as an enzyme or organ.

Related formsin•hib′i•to′ry (-tôr′ē) adj.