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Definition of resistance noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

resistance

noun
 OPAL W
 
/rɪˈzɪstəns/
 
/rɪˈzɪstəns/
Idioms
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  1.  
    [uncountable, singular] dislike of or opposition to a plan, an idea, etc.; the act of refusing to obey
    • As with all new ideas it met with resistance.
    • resistance to somebody/something There has been a lot of resistance to this new law.
    • Resistance to change has nearly destroyed the industry.
    Extra Examples
    • There was fierce resistance to the new laws.
    • They mounted stiff resistance to the proposal.
    Topics Preferences and decisionsc1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • considerable
    • great
    • massive
    • …
    verb + resistance
    • mount
    • offer
    • put up
    • …
    resistance + verb
    • stiffen
    • collapse
    • crumble
    • …
    resistance + noun
    • movement
    • fighter
    • forces
    • …
    preposition
    • without resistance
    • resistance against
    • resistance to
    • …
    phrases
    • the line of least resistance
    • the path of least resistance
    • a pocket of resistance
    • …
    See full entry
  2.  
    [uncountable, singular] the act of using force to oppose somebody/something
    • There were a number of episodes of armed resistance during the early years of occupation.
    • The defenders put up a strong resistance.
    • resistance to somebody/something The demonstrators offered little or no resistance to the police.
    see also passive resistance
    Extra Examples
    • armed resistance against the Nazis
    • The attacks did not take place without resistance.
    • The advancing army met with little resistance.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • considerable
    • great
    • massive
    • …
    verb + resistance
    • mount
    • offer
    • put up
    • …
    resistance + verb
    • stiffen
    • collapse
    • crumble
    • …
    resistance + noun
    • movement
    • fighter
    • forces
    • …
    preposition
    • without resistance
    • resistance against
    • resistance to
    • …
    phrases
    • the line of least resistance
    • the path of least resistance
    • a pocket of resistance
    • …
    See full entry
  3.  
    [uncountable, singular] resistance (to something) the power not to be affected by something
    • AIDS lowers the body's resistance to infection.
    see also antimicrobial resistance
    Extra Examples
    • Many viruses develop resistance to drugs.
    • These varieties produce a lot of fruit and have excellent disease resistance.
    • You need to build up your resistance to colds.
    Topics Health and Fitnessc1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • high
    • increased
    • low
    • …
    verb + resistance
    • have
    • build up
    • develop
    • …
    preposition
    • resistance to
    See full entry
  4. [uncountable, singular] resistance (to something) a force that stops something moving or makes it move more slowly
    • wind/air resistance (= in the design of planes or cars)
    Topics Physics and chemistryc2
  5. [uncountable, countable] (physics)
    (symbol R)
    the opposition of a substance or device to the flow of an electrical current compare reactanceTopics Physics and chemistryc2
  6. (often the Resistance)
     [singular + singular or plural verb] a secret organization that resists the authorities, especially in a country that an enemy has control of
    • resistance fighters
    • The Resistance was/were not going to surrender.
    Topics War and conflictc2
    7. see also pièce de résistance
    Word Originlate Middle English: from French résistance, from late Latin resistentia, from the verb resistere ‘hold back’, from re- (expressing opposition) + sistere ‘stop’ (reduplication of stare ‘to stand’).
Idioms
(choose, follow, take, etc.) the line/path of least resistance
  1. (to choose, etc.) the easiest way of doing something
See resistance in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee resistance in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: resistance

Nearby words

halfway
adverb
 
 
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