Science, Tech, Math › Science Inhibitor Definition in Chemistry Print zhangshuang / Getty Images Science Chemistry Chemical Laws Basics Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on December 05, 2019 In chemistry, an inhibitor is a substance that delays, slows or prevents a chemical reaction. It may also be called a negative catalyst. Common Misspellings: inhibiter Read More Catalysis Definition in Chemistry By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. There are three common classes of inhibitors: Corrosion inhibitor: A corrosion inhibitor decreases the rate of oxidation of metal. Enzyme inhibitor: In chemistry and biology, an enzyme inhibitor binds to an enzyme, lessening its activity. Enzyme inhibitors may be reversible or irreversible. Reaction inhibitor: A reaction inhibitor is any substance that decreases the rate of a chemical reaction. Corrosion inhibitors and enzyme inhibitors are both types of reaction inhibitors. Reaction inhibitors are classified by their potency as strong, moderate, or weak. Sources Berg, J.; Tymoczko, J.; Stryer, L. (2002) Biochemistry. W. H. Freeman and Company. ISBN 0-7167-4955-6.Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "Drug Interactions & Labeling - Drug Development and Drug Interactions: Table of Substrates, Inhibitors and Inducers." www.fda.gov.Gräfen, H.; Horn, E.-M.; Schlecker, H.; Schindler, H. (2002) "Corrosion." Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Wiley-VCH: Weinheim. doi:10.1002/14356007.b01_08 Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Inhibitor Definition in Chemistry." ThoughtCo, Aug. 28, 2020, thoughtco.com/definition-of-inhibitor-605245. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 28). Inhibitor Definition in Chemistry. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-inhibitor-605245 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Inhibitor Definition in Chemistry." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-inhibitor-605245 (accessed March 28, 2024). copy citation