monoamine oxidase inhibitor: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “monoamine oxidase inhibitor” mean?
A type of medication that prevents the enzyme monoamine oxidase from breaking down neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine, thereby increasing their levels in the brain.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of medication that prevents the enzyme monoamine oxidase from breaking down neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine, thereby increasing their levels in the brain.
A class of antidepressants or medications used to treat certain neurological conditions by inhibiting the action of monoamine oxidase enzymes. They are often prescribed when other antidepressants are ineffective, but require dietary restrictions due to potential interactions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. The abbreviation 'MAOI' is universally used. Spelling is identical. Pronunciations may differ slightly (see IPA).
Connotations
Identical technical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in professional medical contexts in both the UK and US. Not used in general discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “monoamine oxidase inhibitor” in a Sentence
[Patient] was prescribed [a monoamine oxidase inhibitor] for [condition].[Drug X] is [a monoamine oxidase inhibitor].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “monoamine oxidase inhibitor” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The patient is on a monoamine-oxidase-inhibitor regime.
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitor therapy requires caution.
American English
- She was prescribed a monoamine oxidase inhibitor medication.
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitor drugs are less commonly used today.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in medical, psychiatric, pharmacological, and neuroscience research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Only used by patients discussing their specific medication with a professional.
Technical
Core term in psychiatry and pharmacology for a specific class of drugs. Discussions include their mechanism, indications, and side-effect profiles.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “monoamine oxidase inhibitor”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “monoamine oxidase inhibitor”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “monoamine oxidase inhibitor”
- Mispronouncing 'oxidase' as 'oxide-ase'.
- Incorrect pluralisation: 'monoamine oxidase inhibitors' (pluralises 'inhibitor', not 'monoamine').
- Omitting the hyphen in 'monoamine' in writing.
- Using the term to refer to any antidepressant.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is the name for a class of drugs (MAOIs) used mainly as antidepressants. They work by blocking the enzyme monoamine oxidase, which normally breaks down chemicals like serotonin in the brain.
No, it is a specialised medical term. Most people would only encounter it if they or someone they know were prescribed this type of medication, or if they study medicine or pharmacology.
While effective, they require patients to avoid certain foods (like aged cheese and cured meats) and other medications due to potentially dangerous interactions. Newer antidepressants (like SSRIs) often have fewer dietary restrictions.
No, it is a fixed compound noun. You cannot say 'oxidase monoamine inhibitor' or 'inhibitor of monoamine oxidase' while keeping the same standard technical meaning, though the latter is grammatically possible but not the standard term.
A type of medication that prevents the enzyme monoamine oxidase from breaking down neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine, thereby increasing their levels in the brain.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitor is usually technical/medical in register.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitor: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɒnəʊəˌmiːn ˈɒksɪdeɪs ɪnˌhɪbɪtə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɑːnoʊəˌmiːn ˈɑːksɪdeɪs ɪnˌhɪbɪtər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'MONO-A-MINE' (one kind of chemical) 'OXIDASE' (an enzyme that oxidizes) 'INHIBITOR' (a stopper). So, a 'stopper for the enzyme that breaks down the one-amine chemicals' in your brain.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BLOCKADE or BRAKE RELEASE: The inhibitor blocks the enzyme (the 'recycler'), allowing neurotransmitters (the 'signals') to accumulate.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a monoamine oxidase inhibitor?