inhibitor

American  

[in-hib-i-ter] / ɪnˈhɪb ɪ tər /

Or inhibiter

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.

4. Rocketry. an inert antioxidant used with solid propellants to inhibit burning on certain surfaces.

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inhibitor British  

/ ɪnˈhɪbɪtə /

noun

1. Also called: inhibiter.  a person or thing that inhibits

2. Also called: anticatalyst.  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

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Etymology

Origin of inhibitor

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

Example Sentences

Anktiva, in combination with an immune checkpoint inhibitor, received accelerated approval in Saudi Arabia earlier this year for the treatment of metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer.

From Barron's

The researchers believe this inhibitor could represent a broadly applicable strategy for slowing or stopping neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and ALS.

From Science Daily

These results challenge the growing interest in Caspase-2 inhibitors as a treatment to manage or prevent fatty liver disease.

From Science Daily

This same mutation is well known in human breast cancer and is already targeted with specific drugs called PI3K inhibitors.

From Science Daily

Cancer vaccines can now also be paired with medications, known as checkpoint inhibitors, to make them more effective.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• avoidance