/ ˌʌndəˈstændɪŋ; NAmE -dərˈs-/ noun , adjective
■ noun
1.
[ U , sing. ] understanding (of sth) the knowledge that sb has about a particular subject or situation :
The committee has little or no understanding of the problem.
The existence of God is beyond human understanding (= humans cannot know whether God exists or not) .
2.
[ C , usually sing. ] an informal agreement :
We finally came to an understanding about what hours we would work.
We have this understanding that nobody talks about work over lunch.
3.
[ U , sing. ] the ability to understand why people behave in a particular way and the willingness to forgive them when they do sth wrong :
We must tackle the problem with sympathy and understanding.
We are looking for a better understanding between the two nations.
4.
[ U , C ] understanding (of sth) the particular way in which sb understands sth
SYN interpretation :
My understanding of the situation is ...
The statement is open to various understandings.
•
IDIOMS
- on the understanding that ...
■ adjective
showing sympathy for other people's problems and being willing to forgive them when they do sth wrong
SYN sympathetic :
She has very understanding parents.