# resistance

/ɹiˈzɪstəns/ (US) · /ɹɪsˈɪstəns/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/resistance
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. opposing something

noun · CEFR B2

the act of fighting against something or refusing to accept it.

For teachers: the act of opposing or withstanding something; a refusal to comply with or accept a new idea or force.

- The government's new tax plan met with strong resistance from the public.
- The proposed corporate restructuring encountered fierce resistance from the middle management, who feared a significant loss of autonomy.

### 2. biological immunity

noun · CEFR B2

the ability of your body to stay healthy and fight off diseases.

For teachers: the inherent ability of an organism to withstand the effects of a harmful agent, such as a virus or bacteria.

- Eating well and sleeping enough helps build your resistance to the common cold.
- The overuse of antibiotics has led to a dangerous increase in bacterial resistance, making standard treatments less effective.

### 3. physics/friction

noun · CEFR B2

a force that stops or slows down a moving object.

For teachers: a force that tends to oppose or retard motion, such as air resistance or friction.

- The cyclist wore a tight suit to reduce air resistance and go faster.
- Engineers designed the car's body to minimise wind resistance, thereby improving fuel efficiency during high-speed travel.

### 4. electrical

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

how much a material slows down the flow of electricity.

For teachers: the degree to which a substance or device opposes the passage of an electric current, causing energy dissipation.

- Copper is used in wires because it has very low electrical resistance.
- The technician measured the resistance of the circuit to ensure that the voltage drop remained within the specified safety limits.

### 5. liberation movement

noun · CEFR B2

a secret group of people fighting against an enemy that has taken over their country.

For teachers: an underground organisation or movement engaged in a struggle for national liberation from an occupying force.

- During the war, the local resistance helped many people escape to safety.
- The resistance coordinated a series of strategic strikes against the occupying army's supply lines to weaken their control over the region.

## Examples

- The new law met with strong resistance from the public.
- The soldiers encountered fierce resistance as they tried to move through the narrow streets of the old city.
- The design of the aircraft minimizes air resistance, allowing it to reach higher speeds while consuming significantly less fuel than previous models.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.