/ ˈtɒləreɪt; NAmE ˈtɑːl-/ verb
1.
to allow sb to do sth that you do not agree with or like
SYN put up with :
[ vn ]
Their relationship was tolerated but not encouraged.
This sort of behaviour will not be tolerated.
[ v -ing ]
She refused to tolerate being called a liar.
[also vn -ing ]
2.
[ vn ] to accept sb/sth that is annoying, unpleasant, etc. without complaining
SYN put up with :
There is a limit to what one person can tolerate.
I don't know how you tolerate that noise!
3.
[ vn ] to be able to be affected by a drug, difficult conditions, etc. without being harmed :
She tolerated the chemotherapy well.
Few plants will tolerate sudden changes in temperature.
••
WORD ORIGIN
early 16th cent. (in the sense endure pain : from Latin tolerat- endured, from the verb tolerare .