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

The deep scars of prolonged conflict require time to heal, and enduring progress demands patience, tolerance, and genuine mutual understanding across all segments of Syrian society. —Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2026

Collectively, there is less tolerance for stubbornness disguised as conviction, as this transit favors multidimensional thinking and open dialogue. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026

Participants also took a personality assessment called the High Potential Trait Indicator (HTPI), which measures six traits including competitiveness and tolerance of ambiguity. —Joe Wilkins Published Jan 8, Futurism, 8 Jan. 2026

Poyer, who was one of McDermott’s first acquisitions with the Bills and has been with him every season since except 2024, says his coach has more tolerance now than in his early days as a head coach. —Dan Pompei, New York Times, 7 Jan. 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