1To bear, endure, or put up with something unpleasant — to withstand hardship or pain without giving in.
暑さに耐えて、彼は毎日畑で働いた。
Enduring the heat, he worked in the fields every day.
子どもの夜泣きに耐えるのは大変だ。
It's hard to put up with a child's crying at night.
試験のプレッシャーに耐えられず、体調を崩した。
Unable to bear the pressure of the exams, they fell ill.
2To withstand or resist an external force or load — to hold up without breaking, often describing durability or resistance.
この建材は地震の揺れに耐えるように設計されている。
This building material is designed to withstand the shaking of an earthquake.
あの服は摩耗に耐える丈夫な生地でできている。
That clothing is made of a sturdy fabric that resists wear.
3To be fit for or equal to something — to meet the standard required for a role or condition (as in '~に耐える' meaning 'worthy of ~').
彼はリーダーに耐える人物だと皆が認めている。
Everyone recognizes that he is fit to be a leader.
その小説は公開に耐える作品とは言えない。
That novel can't be said to be worthy of publication.