patience

noun

pa·​tience ˈpā-shən(t)s 

1

: the capacity, habit, or fact of being patient: such as

a

: the ability to accept obstacles or delays in a calm and self-possessed way

The longest lines are always for the barbecue, and those with the patience to wait will find out why.

—Danielle Ames

b

: the ability to act with calm or restraint under provocation or strain

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

I don't have much patience for that kind of behavior.

The team continues to play poorly, and many fans are starting to lose patience.

c

: the ability to persevere over a long period of time despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity

I don't have the patience to do crossword puzzles.

… a complex bureaucracy that requires endless patience to navigate.

—Tara Henley

2

chiefly British : solitaire sense 2

Synonyms of patience

• tolerance
• willingness

Examples of patience in a Sentence

To be a biographer is a somewhat peculiar endeavor. It seems to me it requires not only the tact, patience, and thoroughness of a scholar but also the stamina of a horse. —Nancy Milford, Vanity Fair, August 2001

… in this time of bioethical conundrums, it is good to know that patience, good will, and personal morality will untie far more intellectual knots than the disarray of rancor, conflict, and special interests … —Sherwin B. Nuland, New Republic, 13 Dec. 1999

Mind-numbing delays and irrelevant search results are enough to try the patience of the most saintly Web surfers. —Neil Gross et al., Business Week, 14 June 1999

After a while, their ideological certitudes tried the patience of their own peoples … —Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., New Yorker, 16 Nov. 1992

I don't have the patience to wait in line for hours just to buy a ticket.

Investors need to have patience. The economy will improve soon.

She treated her students with great patience and humor.

I don't have the patience to do crossword puzzles.

Recent Examples on the Web

On the eve of the World Cup kickoff, FIFA President Gianni Infantino called for patience in the face of a series of crises that threaten to overshadow the start of the tournament, led by the case of Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was denied entry into the United States. —Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026

King Philip’s patience paid off in the form of a 5-4 win and a ticket to Polar Park later this week to face Milton with a state crown at stake. —Tim Crowley, Boston Herald, 10 June 2026

As a specialist at the grueling 1,500-m race, Nikki Hiltz has had to master grit and patience. —Rebecca Schneid, Time, 9 June 2026

Also, with Mercury approaching its square to your taskmaster ruler, Saturn, emotional conversations require patience and discipline. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 9 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

see patient entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing patience

• at the end of one's patience
• have the patience of a saint
• reached the end of my patience
• run out of patience
• stretch someone's patience
• the patience of a saint
• try someone's patience

Rhymes for patience

• impatience

Kids Definition

patience

noun

pa·​tience ˈpā-shən(t)s 

: the quality or state of being patient