tolerance

noun

tol·​er·​ance ˈtä-lə-rən(t)s How to pronounce tolerance (audio)
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

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 Despite the evidence that low concentrations of parabens in beauty products are probably, totally, entirely fine, there’s a matter of risk tolerance—on the part of both consumers and brands. Deanna Pai, Allure, 18 Oct. 2024 Some nasal vaccines use adjuvants to overcome tolerance, but in the nose, adjuvants can pose unique dangers. Stephani Sutherland, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024 Overdoses can happen when a person’s opioid tolerance has grown so much that only large amounts can dull neurons trying to fire on all cylinders. Blake Nelson, The Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2024 This strategy might include using immunotherapy to increase your tolerance to allergens or avoiding contact with pets, dust, and mold.9451 Summary Respiratory infections and symptoms can have many causes but share similar symptoms, such as sneezing, congestion, and coughing. Lauren Schlanger, Verywell Health, 11 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tolerance 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tolerance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tolerance was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near tolerance

Cite this Entry

“Tolerance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tolerance. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

tolerance

noun
tol·​er·​ance ˈtäl(-ə)-rən(t)s How to pronounce tolerance (audio)
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 How to pronounce tolerance (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on tolerance

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