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tolerance

TOL-er-unss /ˈtɒlərəns/

nounC1GRESATGMAT

technicalscientificformal

The allowable amount of variation of a specified quantity, such as a dimension.

In engineering, 'tolerance' is about how much error is acceptable; in social contexts, it's about accepting different opinions.

The story behind the word. From the Latin 'tolerare', meaning 'to bear' or 'to endure'. In a technical sense, it describes how much 'stress' or 'variation' a system can 'bear' before it fails. It moved from a human quality of patience to a mechanical quality of precision.

Word relationships

allowance: An allowance is a planned deviation; tolerance is the range of acceptable unplanned deviation.

rigidity: Rigidity allows for no variation or movement whatsoever.

Commonly confused with

endurance: Endurance is the ability to last; tolerance is the ability to accept variation or discomfort.

Word family

tolerate (verb): To allow the existence or occurrence of something without interference.
tolerant (adjective): Showing willingness to allow the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with.

Collocations

tight tolerance
zero tolerance
fault tolerance

Idioms & expressions

within tolerance

Example sentences

"The engine parts were machined to a tolerance of less than one micron." Engineering
"The plant has a high tolerance for salt, allowing it to grow near the ocean." Science

Memory hook

Tolerance is how much 'error' a machine can 'tolerate' before it breaks. The range of what can be endured.

When not to use

Don't use 'tolerance' when you mean 'total error'; it specifically refers to the allowable range of error.

Fun facts

'Zero tolerance' policies became popular in schools and policing in the 1990s.
In medicine, 'drug tolerance' occurs when a subject's reaction to a specific drug is reduced followed by repeated use.