solution

[ suh-loo-shuhn ]
See synonyms for: solutionsolutions on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. the act of solving a problem, question, etc.: The situation is approaching solution.

  2. the state of being solved: a problem capable of solution.

  1. a particular instance or method of solving; an explanation or answer: The solution is as good as any other.

  2. Mathematics.

    • the process of determining the answer to a problem.

    • the answer itself.

  3. Chemistry.

    • the process by which a gas, liquid, or solid is dispersed homogeneously in a gas, liquid, or solid without chemical change.

    • such a substance, as dissolved sugar or salt in solution.

    • a homogeneous, molecular mixture of two or more substances.

  4. Pharmacology.Also called liquor. a liquid, usually water, in which a medication is dissolved.

  5. Medicine/Medical.

    • the termination of a disease.

    • a breach or break in anything, especially one in parts of the body normally continuous, as from fracture or laceration: solution of continuity.

Origin of solution

1
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Latin solūtiōn-, stem of solūtiō, equivalent to solūt(us) (see solute) + -iō -ion

Other words for solution

Other words from solution

  • so·lu·tion·al, adjective
  • non·so·lu·tion, noun
  • pre·so·lu·tion, noun

Words Nearby solution

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use solution in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for solution

solution

/ (səˈluːʃən) /


noun
  1. a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances in which the molecules or atoms of the substances are completely dispersed. The constituents can be solids, liquids, or gases

  2. the act or process of forming a solution

  1. the state of being dissolved (esp in the phrase in solution)

  2. a mixture of two or more substances in which one or more components are present as small particles with colloidal dimension; colloid: a colloidal solution

  3. a specific answer to or way of answering a problem

  4. the act or process of solving a problem

  5. maths

    • the unique set of values that yield a true statement when substituted for the variables in an equation

    • a member of a set of assignments of values to variables under which a given statement is satisfied; a member of a solution set

  6. the stage of a disease, following a crisis, resulting in its termination

  7. law the payment, discharge, or satisfaction of a claim, debt, etc

Origin of solution

1
C14: from Latin solūtiō an unloosing, from solūtus; see solute

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for solution

solution

[ sə-lōōshən ]


  1. Chemistry A mixture in which particles of one or more substances (the solute) are distributed uniformly throughout another substance (the solvent), so that the mixture is homogeneous at the molecular or ionic level. The particles in a solution are smaller than those in either a colloid or a suspension. Compare colloid suspension.

  2. Mathematics A value or values which, when substituted for a variable in an equation, make the equation true. For example, the solutions to the equation x2 = 4 are 2 and -2.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for solution

solution

In chemistry, a uniform mixture of one solid, liquid, or gas with another solid, liquid, or gas.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.