1. In engineering, the margin of error of a particular structure or process.

2. In medicine and pharmacology, the situation in which an individual requires larger and larger doses of a drug in order to get the same physical or mental effects.

3. In sociology and politics, the act of treating others as equals, despite the fact that those others do not share your beliefs or differ in how they live their lives.
1. The engineer had be careful in designing the oil refining process, because he had to work within very tight tolerances.

2. It is possible for a patient to build tolerance to antidepressants, painkillers, and other drugs, requiring a prescription for a larger dose.

3. Tolerance means that I must not resort to violence or slander against a person with whom I disagree. It does not mean that I have to support or agree with your beliefs, regardless of what the radical left has to say about it.
by J-Rad March 2, 2008
Get the tolerance mug.
Insistence to accept an ideology, without reciprocity.
We should practice tolerance of Islam, but those damn bible thumping Christians are always forcing their beliefs on us.
by IcemanPOJ July 27, 2015
Get the Tolerance mug.
(in relation to alcohol consumption): the ability to hide how intoxicated you've become
That regular over there has a high tolerance, he could be way over the legal limit but you could never tell.
by Craig Secor January 16, 2006
Get the tolerance mug.
German nickname meaning "handsome one" or "hot one."
Ms. Toler's name definitely suits her.
by Sarah Becca July 28, 2008
Get the Toler mug.
Tolerance, in the political and social sense, involves two components: 1. Finding others' beliefs or behavior wrong or, in some substantive way, highly objectionable. This fundamental disagreement must be present on issues that really matter, not on issues that are minor or trivial. 2. In the face of this intense disagreement, one refrains from resolving differences by violence or the threat of violence.

Tolerance is NOT a matter of pluralism or multi-culturalism. In order to be tolerant, one does not accept or find others' actions or attitudes a matter of indifference. Rather, a necessary condition for tolerance is rejection of others' beliefs and way of life.

The upshot of tolerance is fighting a continual civil war with those whom one disagrees with in non-violent ways. A society characterized by tolerance will be full of constant confrontation and conflict without threats or violence. As commentator Jonathan Schwartz has argued, tolerance involves challenging the beliefs that others accept without question including issues surrounding sexuality, religion, and race.

Tolerance also is closely related to free speech. Free speech is primarily designed to promote free discussion of controversial questions in politics, religion, and morality. Therefore, speech codes and Politically Correct sensibilities advanced by the left are restrictions on free speech and are forms of intolerance.
I think everything you say and believe is immoral and disgusting. I shall try to eradicate your beliefs from the face of the earth. But, I shall express my disagreement only verbally and refrain from violence to suppress your point of view. Therefore, I am demonstrating tolerance.
by Tex in Tex February 7, 2008
Get the tolerance mug.
1. the act of putting aside what is right for what is popular.
2. a virtue of a man/woman without conviction.

see also liberal.
"The court said the school had to take down the ten commandments because they felt it didn't show religious tolerance"
by Stormin Norman January 10, 2006
Get the Tolerance mug.
The designation (i.e., "rating") of how patient, forgiving, and understanding someone is.
Ebeneezer Scrooge had a deplorably low tolerating when it came to extending charity or thoughtfulness towards others.
by QuacksO November 7, 2018
Get the tolerating mug.