verb (used with object), tol·er·at·ed, tol·er·at·ing.
- to allow the existence, presence, practice, or act of without prohibition or hindrance; permit.
- to endure without repugnance; put up with: I can tolerate laziness, but not incompetence.
- Medicine/Medical. to endure or resist the action of (a drug, poison, etc.).
- Obsolete. to experience, undergo, or sustain, as pain or hardship.
verb (tr)
- to treat with indulgence, liberality, or forbearance
- to permit
- to be able to bear; put up with
- med to have tolerance for (a drug, poison, etc)
1530s, from Latin toleratus, past participle of tolerare (see toleration). Related: Tolerated; tolerating.
v.
- To allow without prohibiting or opposing; permit.
- To put up with; endure.
- To have tolerance for a substance or pathogen.