1 [mass noun] the refusal to accept or comply with something:they displayed a narrow-minded resistance to change
the use of force or violence to oppose someone or something:government forces were unable to crush guerrilla-style resistanceshe put up no resistance to being led away
(also resistance movement) a secret organization resisting authority, especially in an occupied country:he went underground and joined the resistance
(the Resistance) the underground movement formed in France during the Second World War to fight the German occupying forces and the Vichy government.Also called maquis.
2the ability not to be affected by something, especially adversely:some of us have a lower resistance to cold than others
[mass noun] Medicine & Biology lack of sensitivity to a drug, insecticide, etc., especially as a result of continued exposure or genetic change:many insects show resistance to at least one chemical
3the impeding or stopping effect exerted by one material thing on another:air resistance was reduced by streamlining
4the degree to which a substance or device opposes the passage of an electric current, causing energy dissipation. By Ohm’s law resistance (measured in ohms) is equal to the voltage divided by the current.
[count noun] a resistor or other circuit component which opposes the passage of an electric current.
the line (or path) of least resistance
the easiest course of action:he was easily deflected from his purpose and always chose the line of least resistance
