resolution
resolution — noun
1. a formal decision that an assembled body approves by casting votes
a formal decision that an assembled body approves by casting votes
The United Nations Security Council passed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire.
pass a resolution — formal collocation for voting approval
The board of directors voted unanimously on a resolution to expand into Southeast Asia.
vote on a resolution — preposition on used with vote
Local residents proposed a resolution urging the city council to protect the old park.
propose a resolution — common verb-noun collocation
The committee's resolution was adopted by a majority of seventy-five votes to twelve.
passive: resolution was adopted — formal register
A resolution to ban single-use plastic bags was brought before the parliament last week.
resolution + to-infinitive — expressing purpose
- pass a resolution
- adopt a resolution
- vote on a resolution
- propose a resolution
- draft a resolution
Grammar Patterns
pass + resolution
vote on + resolution
adopt + resolution
Usage Note
Frequently used in political and corporate contexts. Subject is usually a legislative body, board, or committee. The verb resolve corresponds to this sense.
Common Mistakes
2. a firm promise you make to yourself about what you will or will not do, especial
a firm promise you make to yourself about what you will or will not do, especially at the start of a new year
Christopher made a New Year's resolution to exercise at least three times a week.
make a resolution + to-infinitive — most common pattern
Folake kept her resolution to study Mandarin for twenty minutes every day.
keep a resolution — collocation for maintaining a promise
Many people break their resolutions within the first month of the year.
break a resolution — antonym of keep
Mizuki's resolution to save money meant she started bringing lunch from home.
resolution + to-infinitive showing personal goal
Devika wrote down her resolutions and pinned them on the fridge door.
plural form resolutions — common with New Year's goals
- make a resolution
- keep a resolution
- break a resolution
- New Year's resolution
Grammar Patterns
make a resolution + to-infinitive
keep + resolution
break + resolution
Usage Note
This sense commonly appears in the phrase New Year's resolution. The object of the resolution is expressed with to-infinitive (resolution to quit smoking) or of + gerund (resolution of giving up sweets, less common).
Common Mistakes
3. the inner strength to stay mentally firm and resolute, especially through hard t
the inner strength to stay mentally firm and resolute, especially through hard times
The team showed remarkable resolution in the face of repeated setbacks.
show resolution — uncountable use with adjective modifier
Adina's quiet resolution impressed everyone who worked with her.
resolution as personal quality — usually uncountable
It takes great resolution to complete a marathon after twisting your ankle.
take + resolution — expressing required determination
The leader spoke with such resolution that the whole crowd felt encouraged.
with resolution — prepositional phrase as adverb of manner
- show resolution
- demonstrate resolution
- with resolution
- great resolution
- quiet resolution
- determination
more common in everyday speech; resolution sounds more formal and suggests calm firmness
- resolve
very close in meaning, often interchangeable; resolve can feel slightly more active and immediate
- perseverance
focuses on continuing despite difficulty over time, rather than inner mental strength at a moment
- indecision
the inability to make up one's mind, opposite of firmness
- weakness
lack of mental or moral strength
Grammar Patterns
show + resolution
with + resolution
Usage Note
Uncountable in this sense — do not say a resolution or resolutions when referring to determination. Compare with sense 2 (a personal promise) which IS countable.
Common Mistakes
4. the act or process of successfully dealing with a problem, argument, or difficul
the act or process of successfully dealing with a problem, argument, or difficult situation
The two countries finally reached a resolution of their border dispute through negotiation.
reach a resolution — common collocation for conflict
The mediator helped the families find a peaceful resolution to the argument.
resolution to + [problem] — preposition to signals what is solved
A quick resolution of the technical problem saved the company thousands of dollars.
resolution of + [problem] — alternative preposition
Neighbours worked toward a resolution of their noise complaint by talking to each other.
work toward a resolution — active effort with toward
The management and staff are close to a resolution after weeks of difficult talks.
close to a resolution — preposition to after close
- reach a resolution
- find a resolution
- peaceful resolution
- resolution of a dispute
- resolution to a problem
- solution
focuses on the correct answer to a problem; resolution stresses the process of settling, especially in conflicts
- settlement
implies a formal agreement that ends a dispute, often involving money or legal terms
- outcome
a broader term for any result; resolution suggests a positive, intentional result
Grammar Patterns
resolution + of + problem/dispute
reach + resolution
find + resolution
Usage Note
Both countable (a resolution of the dispute) and uncountable (resolution of the crisis was slow). With of or to — resolution of a problem focuses on what is being solved; resolution to a problem emphasises the outcome.
Common Mistakes
5. how clear and detailed an image a screen, camera, or microscope can produce, mea
how clear and detailed an image a screen, camera, or microscope can produce, measured in pixels
The new monitor has a 4K resolution, so the images look incredibly sharp.
has + resolution — used with measurement value
The microscope's high resolution let the biologist see individual cell structures clearly.
high resolution — most common adjective collocation
If you lower the screen resolution, the text becomes harder to read.
lower/reduce resolution — verb collocation for decreasing quality
Beatrix adjusted the printer's resolution to get better quality photo prints.
adjust resolution — verb for changing settings
The game requires a minimum screen resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels.
minimum resolution — expressing lower limit requirement
- high resolution
- low resolution
- screen resolution
- image resolution
- adjust the resolution
Grammar Patterns
high + resolution
low + resolution
screen/display/image + resolution
Usage Note
Often modified by a measurement (1080p resolution, 300 dpi resolution). High resolution (hi-res) and low resolution (lo-res) are also used as compound adjectives. Can be uncountable when speaking generally: This camera has excellent resolution.
Common Mistakes
6. the process of separating a complex thing into its simpler or more basic parts
the process of separating a complex thing into its simpler or more basic parts
The resolution of light into its different colours is achieved by a prism.
resolution + into — preposition signals result of separation
The chemist studied the resolution of the compound into its basic chemical elements.
resolution of + into — full pattern: of input, into output
The resolution of the data into clear categories helped the researchers see patterns.
abstract use with data/categories
Phonetic analysis involves the resolution of speech sounds into smaller units called phonemes.
domain-specific: linguistics context
- resolution of
- resolution into
- resolution of a compound
- separation
more general term; resolution suggests a more systematic, analytical process
- analysis
focuses on examining parts rather than physically separating them
- combination
the act of joining things together, opposite of breaking them apart
- synthesis
bringing parts together to form a whole, the opposite process
Grammar Patterns
resolution + into
resolution + of
Usage Note
Most common in scientific and technical writing (chemistry, physics, linguistics). Not used in everyday conversation. The verb resolve is much more common for this idea in general English.
7. the movement of a musical chord from a tense or unstable sound to a stable, rest
the movement of a musical chord from a tense or unstable sound to a stable, restful sound
The final resolution of the seventh chord gave the piece a feeling of closure.
resolution of + chord — specifying which chord resolves
In classical music, the resolution of dissonance creates a powerful emotional effect.
resolution of dissonance — technical musical collocation
The pianist held the tension before the final resolution into the tonic chord.
resolution into + chord — into shows the target harmony
Music students learn to recognize different types of chord resolution by ear.
chord resolution — compound noun common in musical instruction
- chord resolution
- resolution of dissonance
- resolution into a chord
- dissonance
the unstable, tense sound that precedes resolution
Grammar Patterns
resolution + of + chord
resolution + from + dissonance + to + consonance
Usage Note
This is a specialised music theory term. It contrasts with dissonance. The verb phrase resolve to (e.g. the chord resolves to the tonic) is more common than the noun in everyday musical discussion.
8. the final stage of a story or play where the central struggle gets worked out an
the final stage of a story or play where the central struggle gets worked out and the ending becomes clear
The resolution of the novel came when the two sisters finally understood each other.
resolution of + story — preposition of for the work
Critics praised the film's resolution for being both surprising and emotionally satisfying.
film's resolution — possessive with a creative work
In the story's resolution, the hero returns home and finds peace after years of travel.
in the resolution — prepositional phrase for temporal placement
The play's resolution left the audience with a strong sense of hope and justice.
resolution + leaves audience with — showing emotional effect
- resolution of the story
- the novel's resolution
- dramatic resolution
- in the resolution
- denouement
the formal literary term for the final unravelling of a plot, from French; resolution is more accessible for learners
- conclusion
broader term for any ending; resolution specifically addresses how the conflict is settled
- ending
the most general word; resolution adds the idea that problems are solved or explained
Grammar Patterns
resolution + of + story/plot
in the resolution
Usage Note
In literary analysis, resolution is one of the elements of a story's structure, following the climax. The term denouement (from French) is also used and often preferred in formal criticism.
Common Mistakes
Word family
- resolveverbB2
- resolvenounC1
- resoluteadjectiveC1
- resolutelyadverbC1
- irresoluteadjectiveC2
- irresolutionnounC2
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/4
Resolution, solution, and settlement all refer to ways of dealing with problems, but they differ in scope and context. Solution is the most general term, focusing on the correct answer to a puzzle, equation, or practical problem — for example, finding a solution to a math question or a software bug. Resolution emphasizes the process of settling disagreements or difficulties through effort and negotiation — two countries reaching a resolution of a border dispute. Settlement implies a formal agreement that typically involves concrete terms such as money or legal conditions — an insurance settlement or a divorce settlement. While solution and settlement can be single-step (the answer to a riddle, the check on the table), resolution carries a stronger sense of working through a multi-step or multi-party process. In everyday language resolution and solution overlap for many problems; choose resolution when the focus is on the process of settling, and solution when the focus is on the correct answer itself.
Common collocations
Etymology
Resolution comes from Latin resolutio, meaning 'a loosening or releasing', from resolvere 'to untie, solve'. The word entered English through Old French, gradually gaining the senses of 'breaking into parts', 'solving', and 'firm decision'.