inhibition
noun
in·hi·bi·tion
ˌin-hə-ˈbi-shən 
ˌi-nə-
1
: an inner impediment to free activity, expression, or functioning: such as
a
: a mental process imposing restraint upon behavior or another mental process (such as a desire)
b
: a restraining of the function of a bodily organ or an agent (such as an enzyme)
2
a
: the act of inhibiting : the state of being inhibited
b
: something that forbids, debars, or restricts
Examples of inhibition in a Sentence
She laughed loudly and without inhibition.
an innate inhibition made it difficult for him to tell his girlfriend what he was really feeling
Recent Examples on the Web
However, there are widespread inhibitions against the use of fast chargers, as they’re widely believed to reduce the total lifespan of an EV battery – although there is currently little data to support the theory.
—
New Atlas, 20 Mar. 2025
This piece of information is delivered in a nightclub, a Dionysian space where the whole point is to lose your inhibitions.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 17 Mar. 2025
Anyone here can ask for help without any inhibition or fear of being judged.
—Nitin Gupta, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
With Natalie Kalmus out of the picture, swatches of Technicolor lost all inhibitions.
—Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inhibition
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New Atlas, 20 Mar. 2025
This piece of information is delivered in a nightclub, a Dionysian space where the whole point is to lose your inhibitions.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 17 Mar. 2025
Anyone here can ask for help without any inhibition or fear of being judged.
—Nitin Gupta, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
With Natalie Kalmus out of the picture, swatches of Technicolor lost all inhibitions.
—Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inhibition
Cite this Entry
“Inhibition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inhibition. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inhibition
noun
in·hi·bi·tion
ˌin-(h)ə-ˈbish-ən
1
a
: the act of inhibiting : the state of being inhibited
b
: something that inhibits
2
: an inner force that prevents or makes difficult the free expression of thoughts, emotions, or desires
Medical Definition
inhibition
noun
in·hi·bi·tion
ˌin-(h)ə-ˈbish-ən
: the act or an instance of inhibiting or the state of being inhibited: as
a(1)
: a stopping or checking of a bodily action : a restraining of the function of an organ or an agent (as a digestive fluid or enzyme)
inhibition of the heartbeat by stimulation of the vagus nerve
inhibition of plantar reflexes
(2)
: interference with or retardation or prevention of a process or activity
inhibition of bacterial growth
b(1)
: a desirable restraint or check upon the free or spontaneous instincts or impulses of an individual guided or directed by the social and cultural forces of the environment
the self-control so developed is called inhibition—C. W. Russell
C. W. Russell
(2)
: a neurotic restraint upon a normal or beneficial impulse or activity caused by psychological inner conflicts or by sociocultural forces of the environment
other outspoken neurotic manifestations are general inhibitions such as inability to think, to concentrate—Muriel Ivimey
Muriel Ivimeyinhibitions, phobias, compulsions, and other neurotic patterns—Psychological Abstracts
Psychological AbstractsLove words? Need even more definitions?
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