inhibition
UK: ˌɪnɪˈbɪʃən | US: ˌɪnɪˈbɪʃən
n. 1. The act of inhibiting or the state of being inhibited (e.g., psychological restraint).
n. 2. A voluntary or involuntary restraint on behavior or expression.
n. 3. (Biochemistry) The slowing or stopping of a chemical reaction.
The word traces back to Latin inhibitio, from inhibere ("to hold back"), combining in- (against) and habere (to hold). The root hibit evolved from habere, retaining the core idea of restraint. Over time, it expanded from physical restraint (e.g., legal prohibitions) to psychological and biochemical contexts. The suffix -ion nominalizes the action, solidifying its modern meanings.
Social inhibition made her reluctant to speak in large groups.
The drug works by enzyme inhibition, slowing cellular activity.
His strict upbringing led to emotional inhibition.
The artist overcame creative inhibition and finished the painting.
Legal inhibitions prevented the project’s immediate launch.