1. the process of restraining one’s impulses or behavior, either consciously or unconsciously, due to factors such as lack of confidence, fear of consequences, or moral qualms.

2. in response selection, the suppression of covert responses in order to prevent incorrect responses.

3. in conditioning, the active blocking or delay of a response to a stimulus.

4. in psychoanalysis, an unconscious mechanism by which the superego controls instinctive impulses that would threaten the ego if allowed conscious expression or, in some psychoanalytic theories, might jeopardize attachment. For example, inhibited sexual desire may result from unconscious feelings of guilt implanted by parents. See also reactive inhibition; reciprocal inhibition. —inhibit vb. —inhibited adj.