resolution

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/ˌrɛzəˈluːʃən/
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A formal vote, personal resolve, settlement, fine detail, component separation, harmonic release, or medical clearing, all linked by the idea of resolving something into a settled or clearer state.
Practice using resolution in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • Students learned the resolution of a force into horizontal and vertical components.
  • Follow-up imaging confirmed resolution of the pneumonia.
  • Treatment led to rapid resolution of the swelling.
  • The delayed resolution made the cadence feel more dramatic.
  • The method allowed resolution of the sample into several fractions.

Similar words

conclusion
closure
measure
release
detail
settlement
act
fineness
recovery
intention

Meanings

Official decision by vote

noun
law
neutral
A formal decision or statement adopted by a group after a vote, often in a council, board, legislature, or international body.

Examples

  • The board adopted a resolution after a long debate.
  • The United Nations passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire.
  • Shareholders voted on the resolution at the annual meeting.
  • The city council introduced a resolution on affordable housing.
  • The committee amended the resolution before sending it to the full assembly.

Similar words

motion
decision
declaration
measure
proposal
statement
act

Firm decision or resolve

noun
everyday
neutral
A firm decision to do something, or the steady determination that keeps that decision in place.

Examples

  • She kept her New Year's resolution to spend less money.
  • His quiet resolution helped the team stay calm.
  • I made a resolution to call my parents every Sunday.
  • The climb tested their courage and resolution.
  • By February, the old resolution to wake early had already faded.

Similar words

determination
resolve
commitment
intention
willpower
purpose
steadfastness

Settlement of a problem

noun
everyday
neutral
The solving or settling of a problem, disagreement, crisis, or story conflict.

Examples

  • The mediator helped both sides reach a peaceful resolution.
  • A quick resolution saved the project from delay.
  • The lawsuit ended with a negotiated resolution.
  • The novel's resolution felt earned after the final confrontation.
  • The support team promised a resolution by the end of the day.

Similar words

solution
settlement
outcome
answer
closure
conclusion
settling

Fineness of detail

noun
technology
neutral
The fineness of detail that an image, display, instrument, or sensor can distinguish or record.

Examples

  • The monitor supports a resolution of 3840 by 2160 pixels.
  • High resolution images stay sharp in large prints.
  • The microscope's resolution reveals structures too small to see by eye.
  • The printer's resolution is measured in dots per inch.
  • The scale has a resolution of 0.1 gram.

Similar words

sharpness
clarity
definition
detail
fineness
granularity
resolving power

Separation into parts

noun
scientific
technical
The process of breaking or separating something into component parts, especially in chemistry, optics, or vector analysis.

Examples

  • The laboratory improved the resolution of the racemic mixture.
  • Chiral resolution separated the two enantiomers.
  • The method allowed resolution of the sample into several fractions.
  • Students learned the resolution of a force into horizontal and vertical components.
  • Better chromatography gave cleaner resolution between the peaks.

Similar words

separation
decomposition
analysis
fractionation
partition
dissociation
splitting

Harmonic release

noun
music
technical
The movement of a dissonant note or chord into a consonant one, creating a sense of harmonic release.

Examples

  • The dominant seventh chord needs resolution to the tonic.
  • The delayed resolution made the cadence feel more dramatic.
  • Students marked each suspension and its resolution.
  • The composer avoided an obvious resolution until the final bar.
  • A gentle resolution softened the tension in the harmony.

Similar words

release
cadence
settling
consonance
closure
harmonic release

Subsiding of symptoms

noun
medical
technical
The easing or disappearance of symptoms, inflammation, or another pathological state.

Examples

  • The scan showed near-complete resolution of the inflammation.
  • Doctors monitored the resolution of the rash.
  • Symptoms improved, but full resolution took another week.
  • Treatment led to rapid resolution of the swelling.
  • Follow-up imaging confirmed resolution of the pneumonia.

Similar words

subsidence
remission
recovery
abatement
clearing
improvement

Etymology

From Middle English resolucioun, from Old French resolution and Latin resolutio, from resolvere, meaning to loosen or undo. The early idea of loosening or breaking into parts developed into senses of solving, deciding, separating, and making details distinct.

FAQ

What does resolution mean?

Resolution can mean a formal voted statement, a firm personal decision, the settling of a problem, fine detail, technical separation, musical release, or medical clearing.

What is a resolution in a meeting?

In a meeting, a resolution is a formal statement or decision that a group adopts, approves, or passes by vote.

What is a New Year's resolution?

A New Year's resolution is a personal decision or promise to do something differently in the new year.

What does resolution mean in technology?

In technology, resolution is the fineness of detail an image, screen, printer, instrument, or sensor can distinguish or record.

Can resolution mean solving a problem?

Yes. A resolution can be the solving or settling of a dispute, crisis, support ticket, or story conflict.

What is resolution in music?

In music, resolution is the movement from dissonance into consonance, which releases harmonic tension.

What is a common mistake with resolution?

A common mistake is using resolution as if it always meant result, when many senses depend on context.

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