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

• patience

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

The Mets will give Alvarez a chance to play through the injury; once the inflammation subsides enough — likely by the end of next week — Alvarez can start swinging a bat again and testing his pain tolerance. —Tim Britton, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2025

Four easy strategies are assessing your own risk tolerance, investing early, investing regularly and practicing diversification. —Catherine Brock, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025

The lower your tolerance, the more you should be invested in more conservative holdings, like bonds, that are likelier to hold their value. —Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2025

Vasudevan said that singleton puppies can experience behavioral challenges, particularly with bite inhibition, frustration tolerance, and social skills. —Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tolerance

• cross-tolerance
• self-tolerance
• zero tolerance

Rhymes for tolerance

• intolerance

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