resistance

[ ri-zis-tuhns ]
/ rɪˈzɪs təns /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR resistance ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act or power of resisting, opposing, or withstanding.
the opposition offered by one thing, force, etc., to another.
Electricity.
  1. Also called ohmic resistance. a property of a conductor by virtue of which the passage of current is opposed, causing electric energy to be transformed into heat: equal to the voltage across the conductor divided by the current flowing in the conductor: usually measured in ohms. Abbreviation: R
  2. a conductor or coil offering such opposition; resistor.
Psychiatry. opposition to an attempt to bring repressed thoughts or feelings into consciousness.
(often initial capital letter) an underground organization composed of groups of private individuals working as an opposition force in a conquered country to overthrow the occupying power, usually by acts of sabotage, guerrilla warfare, etc.: the resistance during the German occupation in World War II.
Stock Exchange. resistance level.

Origin of resistance

1300–50; Middle English < Middle French. See resist, -ance

OTHER WORDS FROM resistance

in·ter·re·sist·ance, noun

Words nearby resistance

resinoid, resinous, resipiscence, resist, resist printing, resistance, resistance level, resistance plasmid, resistance thermometer, resistance training, resistance transfer factor

Words related to resistance

intransigence, support, refusal, fight, protection, struggle, defiance, battle, counteraction, contention, combat, cover, screen, watch, detention, friction, check, obstruction, impediment, stand

Example sentences from the Web for resistance

British Dictionary definitions for resistance (1 of 2)

resistance
/ (rɪˈzɪstəns) /

noun

British Dictionary definitions for resistance (2 of 2)

Resistance
/ (rɪˈzɪstəns) /

noun

the Resistance an illegal organization fighting for national liberty in a country under enemy occupation, esp in France during World War II

Medical definitions for resistance

resistance
[ rĭ-zĭs′təns ]

n.

The capacity of an organism to defend itself against a disease.
The capacity of an organism, a tissue, or a cell to withstand the effects of a harmful physical or environmental agent.
The opposition of a body or substance to current passing through it, resulting in a change of electrical energy into heat or another form of energy.
In psychoanalysis, a process in which the ego opposes the conscious recall of repressed unpleasant experiences.

Scientific definitions for resistance

resistance
[ rĭ-zĭs′təns ]

A force, such as friction, that operates opposite the direction of motion of a body and tends to prevent or slow down the body's motion.
A measure of the degree to which a substance impedes the flow of electric current induced by a voltage. Resistance is measured in ohms. Good conductors, such as copper, have low resistance. Good insulators, such as rubber, have high resistance. Resistance causes electrical energy to be dissipated as heat. See also Ohm's law.
The capacity of an organism, tissue, or cell to withstand the effects of a harmful physical or environmental agent, such as a microorganism or pollutant.

Cultural definitions for resistance

resistance

In electricity, a measurement of the difficulty encountered by a power source in forcing electric current (see also current) through an electrical circuit, and hence the amount of power dissipated in the circuit. Resistance is measured in ohms.

Idioms and Phrases with resistance

resistance

see least resistance.