solute

American  

[sol-yoot, soh-loot] / ˈsɒl yut, ˈsoʊ lut /

noun

1. the substance dissolved in a given solution.

---

solute British  

/ sɒˈljuːt /

noun

1. the component of a solution that changes its state in forming the solution or the component that is not present in excess; the substance that is dissolved in another substance Compare solvent

---

adjective

1. rare botany loose or unattached; free

solute Scientific  

/ sŏl′yo̅o̅t /

1. A substance that is dissolved in another substance (a solvent), forming a solution.

---

Etymology

Origin of solute

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin solūtus, past participle of solvere to loosen, dissolve. See solve

Explanation

Solute is just a few letters short of solution, a substance that is dissolved in liquid. In science classes, a solute might be part of your experiment. Pronounced "SAHL-yoot," the noun solute has close word relatives in dissolve, soluble, and solid — all of which are rooted in the Latin word solvere, meaning "to loosen." A solute changes state when it is dissolved. In sugar water, the solute is the sugar because it changes from solid to liquid. The water is not a solute.

Example Sentences

Upon solidification, a phase separation into a pure solvent, here ice, and a solute and particles occurs, with the ice templating the solute/particle phase.

From Science Daily • Apr. 25, 2024

The magnitudes of these properties depend only on the total concentration of solute particles in solution, not on the type of particles.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

Calculate the concentration of all solute species in each of the following solutions of acids or bases.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

Many solution properties are dependent upon the chemical identity of the solute.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

Since each group plays the part of a simple molecule, the osmotic pressure will be ten times less than that corresponding to the quantity of the solute present.

From The Mechanism of Life by Leduc, Stéphane