resolution

noun

res·​o·​lu·​tion ˌre-zə-ˈlü-shən How to pronounce resolution (audio)
1
: the act or process of resolving: such as
a
: the act of analyzing a complex notion into simpler ones
b
: the act of answering : solving
c
: the act of determining
d
: the passing of a voice part from a dissonant to a consonant tone or the progression of a chord from dissonance to consonance
e
: the separating of a chemical compound or mixture into its constituents
f(1)
: the division of a prosodic element into its component parts
(2)
: the substitution in Greek or Latin prosody of two short syllables for a long syllable
g
: the analysis of a vector into two or more vectors of which it is the sum
2
: the subsidence of a pathological state (such as inflammation)
3
a
: something that is resolved
made a resolution to mend my ways
b
: firmness of resolve
4
: a formal expression of opinion, will, or intent voted by an official body or assembled group
5
: the point in a literary work at which the chief dramatic complication is worked out
6
a
: the process or capability of making distinguishable the individual parts of an object, closely adjacent optical images, or sources of light
b
: a measure of the sharpness of an image or of the fineness with which a device (such as a video display, printer, or scanner) can produce or record such an image usually expressed as the total number or density of pixels in the image
a resolution of 1200 dots per inch
Choose the Right Synonym for resolution

courage, mettle, spirit, resolution, tenacity mean mental or moral strength to resist opposition, danger, or hardship.

courage implies firmness of mind and will in the face of danger or extreme difficulty.

the courage to support unpopular causes

mettle suggests an ingrained capacity for meeting strain or difficulty with fortitude and resilience.

a challenge that will test your mettle

spirit also suggests a quality of temperament enabling one to hold one's own or keep up one's morale when opposed or threatened.

her spirit was unbroken by failure

resolution stresses firm determination to achieve one's ends.

the resolution of pioneer women

tenacity adds to resolution implications of stubborn persistence and unwillingness to admit defeat.

held to their beliefs with great tenacity

Examples of resolution in a Sentence

In June, the demagogic militia leader Moqtada al Sadr … sponsored a resolution requiring the government to seek permission of the parliament before asking the U.N. to reauthorize the presence of foreign forces in Iraq. Lawrence Wright, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2007
Perrotta tells a good story in a top-shelf romance kind of way, and you'll very likely find yourself eager to get to the resolution once you've begun. Paul J. Griffiths, Commonweal, 21 Dec. 2007
The new revelation was that, in high resolution, the valley showed deep channels and scours sharply incised into bedrock … Bertram Schwarzschild, Physics Today, September 2007
In late August, the U.N. Security Council passed a resolution calling for peacekeepers to deploy to Darfur to stop a genocide that has claimed some 400,000 lives over the last three years. New Republic, 30 Oct. 2006
The OMEGA spectrometer on the European Space Agency's Mars Express orbiter has gone where no spectrometer has gone before, covering near-infrared wavelengths and offering 10 times the resolution of earlier instruments. George Musser, Scientific American, December 2005
But Hannah's brief resolution suddenly gave way, and all at once she clung to Kit, sobbing like a child. Elizabeth George Speare, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, 1987
Here again it would seem that the vicarious experience just once of seeing another human being completely "blotto" should be sufficient to engender a firm and unbreakable resolution never to take a chance on making a similarly disgusting spectacle of oneself. David A. Embury, The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks, 1970
a court for the resolution of civil disputes We found a resolution to the dispute. computer screens with high resolutions The monitor has excellent resolution.
Recent Examples on the Web In January, conflicting factions within the state party hammered out a compromise resolution calling for a lasting humanitarian cease-fire. Laura Gersony, The Arizona Republic, 12 Mar. 2024 After the war, donor states must consider reforming or replacing UNRWA with uncompromised institutions that are dedicated to the peaceful resolution of the Palestinian refugee crisis. Amos Yadlin, Foreign Affairs, 8 Mar. 2024 The leadership committees of both organizations have approved resolutions to formally explore a partnership, collaborating over the next year. George Avalos, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024 Hamtramck City Councilman Khalil Refai, who introduced the resolution in December, approved 4-3, to rename Holbrook, yanked a red scarf from the street sign Thursday afternoon, unveiling it to applause. Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 8 Mar. 2024 Many expected an immediate surge in production following their resolution, but that was unrealistic according to FilmLA president Paul Audley. Todd Longwell, Variety, 7 Mar. 2024 Woodland parents organized the recall effort last fall after comments MacDonald made in a June school board meeting as the board discussed a PRIDE Month resolution. Jenavieve Hatch, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2024 The board unanimously approved a resolution to remove school resource officers from all public schools starting next school year. Paul Vallas, National Review, 29 Feb. 2024 The vote was unanimous with all 11 board members signed on as sponsors of the resolution. Janie Har, The Christian Science Monitor, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'resolution.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English resolucioun, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French resolucion, from Latin resolution-, resolutio, from resolvere — see resolve entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of resolution was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near resolution

Cite this Entry

“Resolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resolution. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

resolution

noun
res·​o·​lu·​tion ˌrez-ə-ˈlü-shən How to pronounce resolution (audio)
1
a
: the act or process of changing to simpler form
b
: the act of answering
the resolution of a problem
c
: the act of determining
2
a
: the process or capability of distinguishing (as parts of an object or sources of light)
b
: a measure of the sharpness of an image or of the sharpness with which a device can produce or record an image
a printer with a resolution of 1200 dots per inch
3
a
: something that is resolved
New Year resolutions
4
: a formal statement of the feelings, wishes, or decision of a group
5
: the point in a work of literature at which the main conflict is worked out

Medical Definition

resolution

noun
res·​o·​lu·​tion ˌrez-ə-ˈlü-shən How to pronounce resolution (audio)
1
: the separating of a chemical compound or mixture into its constituents
2
: the process or capability of making distinguishable the individual parts of an object, closely adjacent optical images, or sources of light
3
: the subsidence of a pathological state (as inflammation)

Legal Definition

resolution

noun
res·​o·​lu·​tion ˌre-zə-ˈlü-shən How to pronounce resolution (audio)
1
: a formal expression of opinion, will, or intention voted by an official body (as a legislature) or assembled group see also concurrent resolution, joint resolution
2
: an expression or document containing authorization usually by a corporate board of directors of a particular act, transaction, agent, or representative
a corporate resolution authorizing counsel to bind the corporation to a settlement

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