What does inhibitor mean?
An inhibitor is something that prevents, restricts, or slows down a process. The word is especially common in chemistry and biology, where an inhibitor is a substance that interferes with a chemical reaction or a biological activity, often by acting on an enzyme or receptor. It can also refer more generally to a person, condition, or mechanism that restrains action: for example, a barrier may function as an inhibitor of unwanted behaviour. In general use, “inhibitor” tends to sound more technical and neutral than “blocker” or “barrier,” while its scientific sense is precise. The term is useful because it identifies not only the thing that prevents an outcome but also, in scientific writing, the agent responsible for reducing the speed or strength of a reaction. An inhibitor does not necessarily stop a process completely; it may simply reduce its rate or extent.
nounA person, substance, or mechanism that prevents or slows a process, reaction, or action. In biology and chemistry, an inhibitor is commonly a substance that reduces the rate of a chemical or biological activity.
- A person, substance, or mechanism that prevents or slows a process or action.
- A substance that reduces the rate of a chemical reaction or biological activity.
"The new drug acts as an inhibitor of the enzyme responsible for inflammation."
"A carefully placed inhibitor prevented the reaction from proceeding too quickly."
"The researchers developed a selective inhibitor of the cancer cell's growth pathway."
The plural is commonly used in scientific and technical writing for substances or compounds that inhibit a process.
"The researchers compared several inhibitors under identical conditions."
From the same Latin root as “prohibit,” an inhibitor is anything that puts the brakes on a process.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does inhibitor come from?
The English noun inhibitor comes from Latin inhibitor, a form derived from inhibere, “to hold back, restrain, or prevent.” The Latin verb is built from in- and habere, related to habere, “to have or hold.” The same broad root appears in English words such as inhibit and prohibit, as well as prohibition, although their meanings and historical development differ.
Related word forms
How inhibitor is actually used
The word is formal and technical in scientific contexts, but it is also used generally for anything that restrains or blocks a process. In chemistry and biology, the term usually refers specifically to a substance that decreases the rate of a reaction or activity.
Easily confused with inhibitor
An inhibitor is a person, substance, or mechanism that restrains an activity, whereas inhibit is the verb describing the act of preventing or slowing it.