tolerance

noun

tol·er·ance ˈtä-lə-rən(t)s

ˈtäl-rən(t)s

Synonyms of tolerance next

: capacity to endure pain or hardship : endurance, fortitude, stamina

: sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one's own

: the act of allowing something : toleration

: the allowable deviation from a standard

especially : the range of variation permitted in maintaining a specified dimension in machining a piece

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

: the maximum amount of a pesticide residue that may lawfully remain on or in food

Example Sentences

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 Learn about our zero tolerance policy at https://t.co/lp8x5Dq5y0. —

Zaz Hollander, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Mar. 2023 After Uvalde, some Texas Republicans floated a return to zero-tolerance discipline policies. —

Dallas News, 3 Mar. 2023 Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said law enforcement will take a zero-tolerance policy for people who are caught trespassing in the area. —

Nathan Solisstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2023 Singapore, for example, has a strict zero-tolerance approach that outlaws CBD use by Singaporean citizens or permanent residents domestically and abroad. —

Theara Coleman, The Week, 6 Feb. 2023 The bill, which was passed after Beijing last year imposed its own ban on cosmetics containing CBD, keeps Hong Kong aligned with the mainland’s zero-tolerance policy on drugs. —

Theodora Yu, Washington Post, 1 Feb. 2023 Now Lula had called her back, promising a zero-tolerance policy on deforestation. —

Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2023 The Thunderbirds maintain a zero-tolerance policy regarding lewd and lascivious conduct, including but not limited to, disorderly or violent behavior and vulgar or violent language. —

Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 21 Jan. 2023 But she was forced to abandon that zero-tolerance strategy as more contagious variants spread and vaccines became widely available. —

Nick Perry, ajc, 19 Jan. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tolerance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of tolerance was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Tolerance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tolerance. Accessed 1 Apr. 2023.

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Kids Definition

tolerance

noun

tol·er·ance ˈtäl(-ə)-rən(t)s

: ability to put up with something harmful or unpleasant

: the ability to adjust to a food or drug so that its effects are experienced less strongly

: 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

: 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

: the immunological state marked by unresponsiveness to a specific antigen