1.(psychology) the conscious exclusion of unacceptable thoughts or desires (Freq. 3) • Syn: suppression • Derivationally related forms: suppress (for: suppression), inhibit • Topics: psychology, psychological science • Hypernyms: abstinence 2. the quality of being inhibited (Freq. 2) • Hypernyms: restraint, control • Hyponyms: taboo, tabu 3.(physiology) the process whereby nerves can retard or prevent the functioning of an organ or part - the inhibition of the heart by the vagus nerve • Topics: physiology • Hypernyms: organic process, biological process 4. the action of prohibiting or inhibiting or forbidding (or an instance thereof) - they were restrained by a prohibition in their charter - a medical inhibition of alcoholic beverages - he ignored his parents' forbiddance • Syn: prohibition, forbiddance • Derivationally related forms: forbid (for: forbiddance), inhibit, prohibit (for: prohibition) • Hypernyms: action