Pronunciation: [tˌɒləɹˈe͡ɪʃən] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "toleration" can be a bit tricky. While it may seem like there should be an "a" after the "e", it is actually spelled with an "e". The IPA phonetic transcription for "toleration" is /ˌtɒləˈreɪʃən/. This breaks down to "t" as in "tongue", "o" as in "lot", "l" as in "love", "e" as in "net", "r" as in "run", "a" as in "say", "sh" as in "ash", and "ən" as the "u" in "up".
Toleration refers to the attitude or policy of allowing or accommodating beliefs, practices, or behaviors of others that one may find disagreeable, offensive, or different from one's own. It is the act of accepting, recognizing, and permitting diverse viewpoints, religious beliefs, political opinions, cultural customs, or social practices, even though they may contradict one's personal values or principles.
In a societal context, toleration emphasizes the importance of respecting the rights and freedoms of others, regardless of their differences. It involves recognizing the inherent dignity and autonomy of individuals to make choices and express themselves, as long as these choices and expressions do not harm others or infringe on their rights. Toleration fosters an environment of coexistence, understanding, and mutual respect among individuals and groups with varying perspectives.
Toleration extends beyond mere acceptance; it carries a sense of acknowledging the legitimacy of different ideas and perspectives, even if one does not agree with them. It implies restraint from imposing one's own beliefs or values on others, and instead, allowing for diversity and pluralism in society.
Furthermore, toleration is often seen as a cornerstone of democratic societies, as it enables the peaceful coexistence of individuals with different beliefs and ideologies. It plays a vital role in maintaining social harmony, fostering dialogue, and promoting inclusivity and equal treatment for all members of society.
The allowance of that which is not wholly approved; the permission of religious opinions and modes of worship different from those of the established church.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "toleration" derives from the Latin verb "tolerare", which means "to bear, endure, or tolerate". The term was adopted into English in the late 16th century, specifically from the Old French word "toleration" with the same meaning. The root "toler-" in Latin refers to "bearing, enduring, or allowing", which ultimately gave rise to the concept of toleration as we understand it today.
