Tolerance Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of TOLERANCE

1

:

willingness to accept feelings, habits, or beliefs that are different from your own

[noncount]

• religious tolerance

[singular]

• a tolerance for/of other lifestyles

— see also zero tolerance

2

:

the ability to accept, experience, or survive something harmful or unpleasant

[count]

• The plants have a high/low tolerance for/of heat.

[noncount]

• I don't have much tolerance for cold weather. [=I dislike cold weather; cold weather makes me uncomfortable]
• I have no tolerance for such behavior. [=I cannot accept/tolerate such behavior]

3

medical

:

your body's ability to become adjusted to something (such as a drug) so that its effects are experienced less strongly

[count]

• Some patients gradually develop a tolerance for the drug and need to be given a larger dose.

[noncount]

• Some patients develop greater tolerance for the drug's effects.