inhibitor

or in·hib·it·er

[ in-hib-i-ter ]

noun

1. a person or thing that inhibits.
2. Chemistry. a substance that decreases the rate of or stops completely a chemical reaction.
3. any impurity in a mineral that prevents luminescence. Compare activator ( def 3 ).
4. Rocketry. an inert antioxidant used with solid propellants to inhibit burning on certain surfaces.

inhibitor

/ ɪnˈhɪbɪtə /

noun

1. Also calledinhibiter a person or thing that inhibits
2. See catalyst
   Also calledanticatalyst a substance that retards or stops a chemical reaction Compare catalyst
3. biochem
   1. a substance that inhibits the action of an enzyme
   2. a substance that inhibits a metabolic or physiological process

      a plant growth inhibitor

4. any impurity in a solid that prevents luminescence
5. an inert substance added to some rocket fuels to inhibit ignition on certain surfaces

Word History and Origins

Origin of inhibitor¹

First recorded in 1865–70; inhibit + -or ²

Example Sentences

When inserted into introns, for instance, they can enhance a gene’s expression, or they can guide inhibitors to shut the gene down.

From Quanta Magazine

Before they reach this phase, a growth inhibitor called phytic acid keeps vitamins, fiber, and other crucial nutrients locked within their shells, preventing us from absorbing them.

From Popular-Science

Antidepressants, such as serotonin uptake inhibitors, address this problem by cutting off water flow.

From Nautilus

In 2018, the company added corrosion inhibitors, making the primer-plus-paint also suitable for use on metals.

From Washington Post

Endeavor’s new treatment candidate, called “taladegib,” is an inhibitor that addresses what’s known as the “hedgehog” pathway for IPF.

From TechCrunch

The character in this case is an inhibitor of tail development.

From Project Gutenberg

Such birds being heterozygous for the inhibitor factor, should be whites showing some coloured "ticks."

From Project Gutenberg

Probably we ought to regard the beardless as a bearded wheat in which there is an inhibitor that stops the beard from growing.

From Project Gutenberg

The Silky is pure for the pigmentation factor, but does not contain the inhibitor factor.

From Project Gutenberg

On account of this weakness of the inhibitor in the germ-plasm of No. 117 that inhibitor is rarely fully activated.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• avoidance