tolerance

noun tol·er·ance \ˈtä-lə-rən(t)s, ˈtäl-rən(t)s\

: willingness to accept feelings, habits, or beliefs that are different from your own

: the ability to accept, experience, or survive something harmful or unpleasant

medical : your body's ability to become adjusted to something (such as a drug) so that its effects are experienced less strongly

Full Definition of TOLERANCE

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

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

b : the act of allowing something : toleration

: the allowable deviation from a standard; especially : the range of variation permitted in maintaining a specified dimension in machining a piece

a (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>; 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

See tolerance defined for English-language learners

See tolerance defined for kids

First Known Use of TOLERANCE

15th century

Related to TOLERANCE

Synonyms: forbearance, long-suffering, sufferance, patience

Antonyms: impatience

TOLERANCE Defined for Kids

tolerance

noun tol·er·ance \ˈtä-lə-rəns\

Definition of TOLERANCE for Kids

: ability to put up with something harmful, bad, or annoying <He was running out of tolerance for the pushy young cop. — Carl Hiaasen, Hoot>

: sympathy for or acceptance of feelings or habits which are different from someone's own

Medical Dictionary

tolerance

noun tol·er·ance \ˈtäl(-ə)-rən(t)s\

Medical Definition of TOLERANCE

: 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>

: the immunological state marked by unresponsiveness to a specific antigen