Inhibitor
ɪnˈhɪbɪtər
Definitions
A substance or thing that slows or prevents a process or action, typically by interfering with the process.
ɪnˈhɪbɪtər
A substance or thing that slows or prevents a process.
The doctor prescribed an inhibitor to control the patient's high cholesterol.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're building a LEGO tower, but someone puts a few bricks on top that don't connect. Those bricks are like an inhibitor, because they stop you from building higher. An inhibitor is anything that slows or stops a process.
👶 For kids: Something that slows down or stops something from happening.
More Examples
This chemical is known to be a strong enzyme inhibitor.
The company introduced a new inhibitor to slow down the spread of the virus.
How It's Used
"Enzymes can be blocked by inhibitors, preventing them from catalyzing reactions."
"Doctors often prescribe ACE inhibitors to treat high blood pressure."
"The new regulations acted as an inhibitor to economic growth."
From Latin *inhibitor*, meaning 'that which hinders,' derived from *inhibere* ('to restrain, hold back'), from *in-* ('in, on') + *habere* ('to have, hold').
The term inhibitor began appearing in scientific literature in the late 19th century, initially in relation to chemical and biological processes.
Memory tip
Think of a 'brake' - an inhibitor stops something.