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Definition

verb

(general)

To hold back, curb, hinder, restrain, prohibit, or arrest; as in to inhibit an action.

(chemistry, biology)

To limit, prevent or block the action or function of; as in to inhibit an enzyme, or to inhibit a chemical reaction.

(psychology)

To suppress or restrain a behavior, an impulse, or a desire consciously or unconsciously.

Supplement

Word origin: From Latin inhibere, inhibit-, "to hold in", "to check", "to restrain", from in-, + habere, "to have", "to hold".

Related forms: inhibits (simple present), inhibiting (present participle), inhibited (simple past), inhibition (noun), inhibitory (adjective).

Synonym: constrain, forbid, restrain, prevent, repress, suppress.