solution

American  

[suh-loo-shuhn] / səˈlu ʃən /

noun

• solutions
  plural

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.

3. a particular instance or method of solving; an explanation or answer.

   The solution is as good as any other.

   Synonyms:

   resolution, key

4. Mathematics.

   1. the process of determining the answer to a problem.

   2. the answer itself.

5. Chemistry.

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

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

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

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

7. Medicine/Medical.

   1. the termination of a disease.

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

      solution of continuity.

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solution British  

/ 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

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

4. 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

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

6. the act or process of solving a problem

7. maths

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

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

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

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

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solution Scientific  

/ sə-lo̅o̅′shən /

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.

2. Chemistry Compare colloid suspension

3. 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 x ² = 4 are 2 and −2.

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solution Cultural  

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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonsolution
  noun
• presolution
  noun
• solutional
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• solutions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of solution

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

Explanation

A solution is all about solving or dissolving. If you find an answer to a question, both the answer and how you got there is the solution. If you dissolve a solid into a liquid, you've created a different kind of solution. This noun descends from Middle English solucion, from Old French, from Latin solutio, from solvere "to loosen." Think of solution both as a loosening of the chemical bonds that make something solid––when you loosen the structure of salt by mixing it into water, you create a solution. When you loosen the "knot" of a math problem you do the same thing––you loosen, untangle or solve it.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

solution solutions

With the Portadown parade dispute causing so much tension in recent weeks, politicians know that there is still a need to keep searching for a lasting solution.

From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026

Happily, there’s a solution for their plight—one that leaves a lucky old lady with a collection of better-than-average lawn ornaments.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026

But as COVID-19 spread, they began spraying the concentrated solution across wide areas, “directly into the air and on all types of surfaces,” the lawsuit said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026

"This solution has come too late. A totally avoidable situation after a torturous process," added the tenants' union.

From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026

When this solution was relayed to Fischer; he demanded that his clock be set back to its original time.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

As policymakers scramble for solutions to shore up Social Security’s finances, some are looking to the tax system to find new sources of revenue for the program.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 9, 2026

The U.K. could deploy better drone jamming technology, says Monnik, but ultimately more effective low-tech solutions are also available.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026

Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel said: "You will not get another Harry Kane, first of all. We look for different options and solutions."

From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026

AI chatbots have made large-scale cheating among students -- what some educators call "homework scams" -- easier than ever, allowing them to generate credible solutions to almost any written assignment within seconds.

From Barron's ● Oct. 6, 2026

Imagined the solutions, x - 3 and x = -7, and felt a little better.

From "The Lions of Little Rock" by Kristin Levine

Related Words

• explanation
• quick fix
• result