Meaning & Definition of Tolerate in English

1. Put up with something or somebody unpleasant

• "I cannot bear his constant criticism"

• "The new secretary had to endure a lot of unprofessional remarks"

• "He learned to tolerate the heat"

• "She stuck out two years in a miserable marriage"

2. Recognize and respect (rights and beliefs of others)

• "We must tolerate the religions of others"

3. Have a tolerance for a poison or strong drug or pathogen or environmental condition

• "The patient does not tolerate the anti-inflammatory drugs we gave him"

4. Allow the presence of or allow (an activity) without opposing or prohibiting

• "We don't allow dogs here"

• "Children are not permitted beyond this point"

• "We cannot tolerate smoking in the hospital"