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 of tolerance

• 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

Be sure to weigh costs, storage needs and risk tolerance before making a decision. — Usa Today, USA Today, 10 July 2026

As stablecoins become more integrated with payments and capital markets, regulators will have less tolerance for ambiguity around how these products are backed and operated. — Sean Stein Smith, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

The app's onboarding experience uses AI to learn users' goals, risk tolerance, funding preferences and financial profile in a single streamlined flow. — Tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 10 July 2026

Rich, moist but well-drained Clematis There are more than 300 clematis species and numerous cultivars, and their heat tolerance varies, so make sure to look for a clematis that stands up to hot summers. — Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 9 July 2026

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