# inhibitor

/ˌɪnˈhɪbətɝ/ (US) · /ɪnhˈɪbɪtɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/inhibitor
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. chemistry

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a substance that slows down or stops a chemical reaction.

For teachers: a substance that decreases the rate of, or prevents, a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process.

- The scientist added an inhibitor to the mixture to keep it from reacting too quickly.
- Corrosion inhibitors are frequently applied to metal surfaces to prevent oxidation in highly acidic environments.

Usage: Often followed by the preposition 'of'.

### 2. biology and medicine

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a chemical or drug that stops a natural process in the body, like an enzyme working.

For teachers: a molecule that binds to an enzyme and decreases its activity, or a drug that interferes with a physiological process.

- The doctor prescribed an enzyme inhibitor to help lower the patient's blood pressure.
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are a class of drugs commonly used to manage clinical depression and anxiety disorders.

### 3. psychology or social

noun · CEFR C2 · Academic · Formal

something that stops you from acting naturally or feeling free.

For teachers: a psychological or social factor that restrains or prevents a particular behaviour or thought process.

- Fear of failure can be a major inhibitor when you are trying to learn a new skill.
- The lack of social support acted as a significant inhibitor to the community's willingness to adopt the new environmental regulations.

## Examples

- The drug acts as an inhibitor to stop the virus from spreading.
- Scientists are testing a new enzyme inhibitor that could potentially lower high blood pressure in patients.
- In competitive inhibition, the inhibitor binds to the active site of the enzyme, effectively preventing the substrate from reacting and thus halting the metabolic pathway.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.