toleration

[tol-uh-rey-shuhn]

noun

1. an act or instance of tolerating, especially of what is not actually approved; forbearance.

   to show toleration toward the protesters.

2. permission by law or government of the exercise of religions other than an established religion; noninterference in matters of private faith and worship.

toleration

/ ˌtɒləˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or practice of tolerating

2. freedom to hold religious opinions that differ from the established or prescribed religion of a country

Other Word Forms

• tolerationism noun
• tolerationist noun
• nontoleration noun
• supertoleration noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of toleration¹

First recorded in 1510–20, toleration is from the Latin word tolerātiōn- (stem of tolerātiō ). See tolerate, -ion

Synonym Study

See tolerance.

Example Sentences

It arose out of a 2023 lawsuit filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for the company’s alleged toleration of widespread racial harassment of Black employees at its Fremont, Calif., factory.

From Los Angeles Times

His famous letter on religious toleration argues that the state must never impose a religion on the people.

From Salon

But the country operates a policy of toleration towards the sale or possession of small amounts of some drugs.

From BBC

In the religious realm, it came to stand for toleration and a removal of sectarian passions from public life.

From Salon

While it is illegal to sell or possess drugs, the Netherlands has a "toleration policy" that allows coffee shops to sell cannabis under strict conditions.

From BBC