resistance

[ ri-zis-tuhns ]

noun

1. the act or power of resisting, opposing, or withstanding.

   Synonyms: intransigence, defiance, obstinacy, opposition

2. the opposition offered by one thing, force, etc., to another.
3. 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. : R
   2. a conductor or coil offering such opposition; resistor.
4. Psychiatry. opposition to an attempt to bring repressed thoughts or feelings into consciousness.
5. (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.

6. Stock Exchange. resistance level.

Resistance

¹

/ rɪˈzɪstəns /

noun

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

resistance

²

/ rɪˈzɪstəns /

noun

1. the act or an instance of resisting
2. the capacity to withstand something, esp the body's natural capacity to withstand disease
3. 1. the opposition to a flow of electric current through a circuit component, medium, or substance. It is the magnitude of the real part of the impedance and is measured in ohms R Compare reactance
   2. ( as modifier )

      resistance coupling

      a resistance thermometer

4. any force that tends to retard or oppose motion

   air resistance

   wind resistance

5. (in psychoanalytical theory) the tendency of a person to prevent the translation of repressed thoughts and ideas from the unconscious to the conscious and esp to resist the analyst's attempt to bring this about
6. physics the magnitude of the real part of the acoustic or mechanical impedance
7. line of least resistance
   the easiest, but not necessarily the best or most honourable, course of action
8. See passive resistance

resistance

/ rĭ-zĭs′təns /

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. See also Ohm's law
4. 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.

resistance

1. 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 .

Other Words From

• inter·re·sistance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of resistance¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Middle French; equivalent to resist + -ance

Idioms and Phrases

see least resistance .

Example Sentences

But if Kennedy takes steps like these, “we know for sure he will run into resistance from industry,” Willett said.

From Los Angeles Times

In the study, 10 children had parasites with genetic mutations previously associated with artemisinin partial resistance.

From Science Daily

But with L.A. also playing a major role in the 2026 World Cup, local Olympic organizers said they have detected no signs of resistance in conversations with Trump’s transition team or other Washington officials.

From Los Angeles Times

Stringfellow lives in Joshua Tree and her interest in the history of the Owens Valley resistance effort grew out of her research on California water history.

From Los Angeles Times

The reward for playing along and the reward for resistance are the same.

From Salon

Related Words

• battle
• defiance
• fight
• intransigence
• protection
• refusal
• struggle
• support