Definition of: resolution

(rez′ə·l′shən) noun
1. The act of resolving or of reducing to a simpler form.
2. The state of being resolute; active fortitude; resoluteness.
3. The making of a resolve; also, the purpose or course resolved upon; a resolve; determination.
4. Chemical, mechanical, or mental analysis; separation of anything into component parts.
5. A proposition offered to or adopted by an assembly.
6. Law A judgment or decision of a court.
7. Med. The termination of an abnormal condition.
8. Music a The replacement of a dissonant tone or chord by a higher or lower one so that a consonance, or, sometimes, another dissonance occurs, b The tone or chord replacing the original dissonant tone or chord. See synonyms under COURAGE, DETERMINATION, FORTITUDE, PURPOSE, PERSEVERANCE, WILL.
—concurrent resolution A resolution adopted by both of the houses of Congress and having the force of law without the signature of the President.
—joint resolution A resolution which, when passed by both houses of Congress and approved by the President, has the force of law. [<L resolutio, -onis <resolutus. See RESOLUTE.]
—res′o·lu′tion·er, res′o·lu′·tion·ist noun