Dictionary definition · inhibit
verb
- prohibit, forbid, or prevent from doing something"Contact between the young was inhibited by strict social customs"
- limit, block, or decrease the action or function of"inhibit the action of the enzyme"
- consciously restrain from showing; of emotions, desires, impulses, or behavior"suppress a smile"
- make (someone) self-conscious and as a result unable to act naturally"his father's cold and distant demeanor inhibited him emotionally"
Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).