Origin: Latin suffix -tion
Resolution has 12 different meanings across 1 category:
a formal expression by a meeting; agreed to by a vote
"The city council passed a resolution banning single-use plastics after a heated debate and a close vote."
the ability of a microscope or telescope to measure the angular separation of images that are close together
"The new telescope's improved resolution allowed astronomers to clearly distinguish two stars that were previously indistinguishable."
the trait of being resolute
"his resoluteness carried him through the battle"
"it was his unshakeable resolution to finish the work"
finding a solution to a problem
"After weeks of debate, the committee finally reached a resolution on how to handle the budget shortfall."
something settled or resolved; the outcome of decision making
"they finally reached a settlement with the union"
"they never did achieve a final resolution of their differences"
"he needed to grieve before he could achieve a sense of closure"
analysis into clear-cut components
"The software team spent weeks breaking down the complex system's resolution to identify and fix each individual bug."
(computer science) the number of pixels per square inch on a computer-generated display; the greater the resolution, the better the picture
"The new monitor's high resolution makes every pixel in my digital photos look incredibly sharp and detailed."
the subsidence of swelling or other signs of inflammation (especially in a lung)
"After months of antibiotics, the doctor finally confirmed that the resolution of his pneumonia had been complete."
(music) a dissonant chord is followed by a consonant chord
"The composer resolved the tension in that jazz piece when the clashing seventh chord smoothly moved into a major triad."
a statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem
"they were trying to find a peaceful solution"
"the answers were in the back of the book"
"he computed the result to four decimal places"
a decision to do something or to behave in a certain manner
"he always wrote down his New Year's resolutions"
A strong will, determination.
"After months of failing to quit her unhealthy habits, she finally found the resolution needed to stick to her new diet plan."
In plain English: Resolution is a firm decision to do something or stop doing something.
"He set a new resolution to exercise every morning for the next year."
Usage: Use resolution to mean firmness of purpose or mental strength rather than a specific decision made at the start of January. This noun describes an inner quality that helps you persist through difficulties, distinct from synonyms like resolve which often imply a more active effort toward change.
The word resolution entered English in 1412 as "resolucioun," meaning dissolution. It comes from Latin resolūtiō, which originally meant a loosening or solution and is formed from the verb resolvō ("to loosen").