patience

noun

pa·​tience ˈpā-shən(t)s How to pronounce patience (audio)
1
: the capacity, habit, or fact of being patient
2
chiefly British : solitaire sense 2

Examples of patience in a Sentence

To be a biographer is a somewhat peculiar endeavor. It seems to me it requires not only the tact, patience, and thoroughness of a scholar but also the stamina of a horse. Nancy Milford, Vanity Fair, August 2001
… in this time of bioethical conundrums, it is good to know that patience, good will, and personal morality will untie far more intellectual knots than the disarray of rancor, conflict, and special interests … Sherwin B. Nuland, New Republic, 13 Dec. 1999
Mind-numbing delays and irrelevant search results are enough to try the patience of the most saintly Web surfers. Neil Gross et al., Business Week, 14 June 1999
After a while, their ideological certitudes tried the patience of their own peoples … Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., New Yorker, 16 Nov. 1992
I don't have the patience to wait in line for hours just to buy a ticket. Investors need to have patience. The economy will improve soon. She treated her students with great patience and humor. I don't have the patience to do crossword puzzles.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
And a yield of nearly 6% is enough to give most investors patience. Brett Owens, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024 Balance and patience are your guiding principles this month, Scorpio. Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Nov. 2024 Either way, the wait adds another layer of friction to a launch that’s already testing users’ patience. Jackie Snow, Quartz, 30 Oct. 2024 Both noted that that Americans are fast and furious collectors, buying and flipping watches regularly online, while buyers in Hong Kong specifically (and China more generally) want to see the watch in person and tend to buy and sell with patience and clear intentions. Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for patience 

Word History

Etymology

see patient entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of patience was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near patience

Cite this Entry

“Patience.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patience. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

patience

noun
pa·​tience ˈpā-shən(t)s How to pronounce patience (audio)
: the quality or state of being patient

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