patience

noun

pa·​tience ˈpā-shən(t)s 

1

: the capacity, habit, or fact of being patient

2

chiefly British : solitaire sense 2

Synonyms

• 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

Both quarterbacks faced quality defenses and challenges in their own ways — Herbert with the withering pass rush and Nix with the frustrating Jesse Minter shells that keep everything in front and require a combination of patience and opportunism. —Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025

And the corollary for the manager, lead with humility and grace and patience. —Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Sep. 2025

The key to this recipe is patience and trusting the process. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 21 Sep. 2025

Her patience is tested when Cliff obnoxiously tries to guess the name of her daughter — Dominique? —Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025

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
• lose patience
• 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