tolerance
noun
tol·er·ance
| \ ˈtä-lə-rən(t)s
, ˈtäl-rən(t)s\
, ˈtäl-rən(t)s\
Definition of tolerance
2a
: 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
4a(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
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Synonyms & Antonyms for tolerance
Synonyms
forbearance, long-suffering, patience, sufferance
Antonyms
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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.
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Recent Examples on the Web
No one who is paying attention is arguing for zero tolerance. — Stephanie Apstein, SI.com, "MLB’s Inconsistent Domestic Violence Policy Lets Teams Benefit From Suspensions," 22 Aug. 2019 Instead designers of the social platforms fervently believed that connection would drive tolerance and counteract hate. — Claire Wardle, Scientific American, "Misinformation Has Created a New World Disorder," 20 Aug. 2019 Put another way, most fish species have evolved narrow temperature tolerances. — Chris Free, The Conversation, "Ocean warming has fisheries on the move, helping some but hurting more," 19 Aug. 2019 Hammond goes on to discuss consequences, trade-offs, uncertainty, risk tolerance etc. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Why is making a decision so hard?," 19 Aug. 2019 The Poway Unified School District Board of Education met for its first regular meeting in the 2019-20 school year on Aug. 8 to approve revisions to the budget, welcome a new student board member and hear another student speak on tolerance. — Emily Sorensen, Pomerado News, "PUSD budget adds $1.8 million for textbooks," 15 Aug. 2019 These objects are used to teach tolerance and promote social justice. — Amy Dickinson, The Denver Post, "Ask Amy: Professor wants to be rid of racist books," 8 Aug. 2019 These objects are used to teach tolerance and promote social justice. — Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, "Professor wants to be rid of racist books," 8 Aug. 2019 Mostofsky notes that an individual’s tolerance to caffeine, which can build over time, likely matters too. — Jamie Ducharme, Time, "Here's How Much Caffeine May Trigger a Migraine, According to a New Study," 8 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tolerance.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for tolerance
tolerance
noun
English Language Learners Definition of tolerance
: 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
See the full definition for tolerance in the English Language Learners Dictionary
tolerance
noun
tol·er·ance
| \ ˈtä-lə-rəns
\
\
Kids Definition of tolerance
1
: ability to put up with something harmful, bad, or annoying
He was running out of tolerance for the pushy young cop.— Carl Hiaasen, Hoot
2
: sympathy for or acceptance of feelings or habits which are different from someone's own
tolerance
noun
tol·er·ance
| \ ˈtäl(-ə)-rən(t)s
\
\
Medical Definition of tolerance
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
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