monoamine oxidase inhibitor: Meaning and Definition of

mon'oamine' ox'idase inhib"itor

Pronunciation: [key]
  1. any of various substances, as isocarboxazid and phenelzine, that block enzymatic breakdown of certain monoamine neurotransmitters: used to treat severe depression. Abbr.: MAOI Also called
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.