resolution

UK: /ˌrɛzəˈluːʃ^ən/ US: /ˌrɛzəˈluʃən/ ,(rez′ə lo̅o̅′shən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

res•o•lu•tion /ˌrɛzəˈluʃən/   n. 

1. Government a formal expression by a group of its opinion:
   [countable] passed a resolution condemning the invasion.
2. the act of deciding on a course of action, etc.;
   the thing decided on:
   [countable] made a New Year's resolution.
3. the mental state of being resolute:
   [uncountable] He went forward with renewed resolution.
4. Optics the act or capability of distinguishing between nearby or close parts, etc.:
   [uncountable] the resolution of the microscope.
5. a solution of a problem, etc.:
   [uncountable] the resolution of the crisis.
   [countable] looking for a resolution of the crisis.
6. [countable] the conclusion of the actions, etc., in the plot of a play, novel, etc.

See -solv-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

res•o•lu•tion  (rez′ə lo̅o̅′shən), n. 

1. Government a formal expression of opinion or intention made, usually after voting, by a formal organization, a legislature, a club, or other group. Cf. concurrent resolution, joint resolution. 
2. a resolve or determination:
   to make a firm resolution to do something.
3. the act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc.
4. the mental state or quality of being resolved or resolute;
   firmness of purpose.
5. the act or process of resolving or separating into constituent or elementary parts.
6. the resulting state.
7. Optics the act, process, or capability of distinguishing between two separate but adjacent objects or sources of light or between two nearly equal wavelengths. Cf. resolving power. 
8. a solution, accommodation, or settling of a problem, controversy, etc.
9. Music and Dance
   • the progression of a voice part or of the harmony as a whole from a dissonance to a consonance.
   • the tone or chord to which a dissonance is resolved.
10. reduction to a simpler form;
    conversion.
11. Medicine the reduction or disappearance of a swelling or inflammation without suppuration.
12. Computing the degree of sharpness of a computer-generated image as measured by the number of dots per linear inch in a hard-copy printout or the number of pixels across and down on a display screen.

• Latin resolūtiōn- (stem of resolūtiō), equivalent. to resolūt(us) resolute + -iōn- -ion
• Middle English 1350–1400

Synonyms

• 4. resolve, determination, perseverance, tenacity; strength, fortitude.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

resolution / ˌrɛzəˈluːʃən/ noun

1. the act or an instance of resolving
2. the condition or quality of being resolute; firmness or determination
3. something resolved or determined; decision
4. a formal expression of opinion by a meeting, esp one agreed by a vote
5. a judicial decision on some matter; verdict; judgment
6. the act or process of separating something into its constituent parts or elements
7. subsidence of the symptoms of a disease, esp the disappearance of inflammation without the formation of pus
8. the process in harmony whereby a dissonant note or chord is followed by a consonant one
9. the ability of a television or film image to reproduce fine detail
10. another word for resolving power

ˌresoˈlutioner, ˌresoˈlutionist noun