tolerance

noun

tol·​er·​ance ˈtä-lə-rən(t)s 

ˈtäl-rən(t)s

1

: capacity to endure pain or hardship : endurance, fortitude, stamina

2

a

: sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one's own

b

: the act of allowing something : toleration

3

: the allowable deviation from a standard

especially : the range of variation permitted in maintaining a specified dimension in machining a piece

4

a(1)

: the capacity of the body to endure or become less responsive to a substance (such as a drug) or a physiological insult especially with repeated use or exposure

developed a tolerance to painkillers

also : the immunological state marked by unresponsiveness to a specific antigen

(2)

: relative capacity of an organism to grow or thrive when subjected to an unfavorable environmental factor

b

: the maximum amount of a pesticide residue that may lawfully remain on or in food

Synonyms

• forbearance
• long-suffering
• patience
• sufferance

Examples of tolerance in a Sentence

a tolerance for other lifestyles

The plants have a high tolerance for heat.

Some patients gradually develop a tolerance for the drug and need to be given a larger dose.

Some patients develop greater tolerance for the drug's effects.

Recent Examples on the Web

For example, according to their risk tolerance and investment objectives, the family specifies a set of rules for their hedging strategies, and these rules are automatically implemented whenever the parameters are met. —Hannes Hofmann, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

West Point researchers said threats represent a swelling tolerance for violence and the extremism civic leaders face. —Krystal Nurse, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024

The permissiveness of college administrators in their tolerance for intolerance against free speech on campus has degraded free-speech protections dramatically. —Tyson Langhofer, National Review, 21 Oct. 2024

Perhaps the staggering governance implosion at 23andMe will prove to be a turning point in investors' tolerance for dual-class shares, says Friso van der Oord, SVP of content at the National Association of Corporate Directors. —Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tolerance

• cross-tolerance
• self-tolerance
• zero tolerance

Kids Definition

tolerance

noun

tol·​er·​ance ˈtäl(-ə)-rən(t)s 

1

a

: ability to put up with something harmful or unpleasant

b

: the ability to adjust to a food or drug so that its effects are experienced less strongly

2

: sympathy for or acceptance of feelings, habits, or beliefs that are different from one's own

Medical Definition

tolerance

noun

tol·​er·​ance ˈtäl(-ə)-rən(t)s 

1

: the capacity of the body to endure or become less responsive to a substance (as a drug) or a physiological insult especially with repeated use or exposure

developed a tolerance to painkillers

2

: the immunological state marked by unresponsiveness to a specific antigen