solution

noun so·lu·tion \ sə-ˈlü-shən \

|Updated on: 15 Jun 2018

Definition of solution

1 a : an action or process of solving a problem

b : an answer to a problem : explanation; specifically : a set of values of the variables that satisfies an equation

2 a : an act or the process by which a solid, liquid, or gaseous substance is homogeneously mixed with a liquid or sometimes a gas or solid

b : a homogeneous mixture formed by this process; especially : a single-phase liquid system

c : the condition of being dissolved

3 : a bringing or coming to an end or into a state of discontinuity

See solution defined for English-language learners

See solution defined for kids

Examples of solution in a Sentence

Medication may not be the best solution for the patient's condition.
The solution is simple you need to spend less money.
She made a solution of baking soda and water.
a 40 percent saline solution
He rinsed the contact lens with saline solution.
the solution of sucrose in water

Recent Examples of solution from the Web

But there is no set recipe for solving this equation; there are nearly infinite solutions to this equation.

— joseph franklin, Scientific American, "Suicide Prediction Remains Difficult Despite Decades of Research," 11 June 2018
Mullins isn’t a one-man solution to the problems, but his presence would send the team on a clear path to the future.

— eduardo a. encina, baltimoresun.com, "As losses pile up, Orioles still haven't done much to shift focus to future," 10 June 2018
Worst of all, if talks proved that there could be no diplomatic solution to the standoff, then military conflict—even nuclear war—would become more likely.

— brian bennett / singapore, Time, "How Trump Decided to Meet Kim," 10 June 2018
But Brown's administration had argued that more money was needed and the drinking-water tax was the right solution.

— dale kasler and adam ashton, sacbee, "California drinking water tax dies in budget compromise," 8 June 2018
Right now, there isn’t much that drivers (and carpoolers) can do to steer clear of these sorts of people, but artificial intelligence could be a solution.

— shoshana wodinsky, The Verge, "Uber wants to patent a system that knows when you’re drunk," 8 June 2018
Each team/department is empowered to be innovative, to challenge when necessary and to provide solutions to problems and efficiency issues.

— azcentral, "Top Companies to Work for in Arizona-Small Companies," 7 June 2018
The system, which costs about $100 per room, was manufactured using feedback from the hotel’s housekeepers, said Vanessa Ogle, CEO of Enseo, which provides hotels with in-room entertainment solutions and other technology services.

— alexia elejalde-ruiz, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago hotels roll out panic button systems to protect housekeepers from sexual harassment," 7 June 2018
Caldwell’s findings aren’t a solution to the larger crisis.

— dave hyde, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Hyde: A good step in the opioid crisis | Commentary," 7 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'solution.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of solution

Middle English solucion explanation, dispersal of bodily humors, from Anglo-French, from Latin solution-, solutio, from solvere to loosen, solve

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

solution Synonyms

Synonyms

answer, result;

clue, key;

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

alkali, cation, decant, hygroscopic, isotope, oxidize, slurry, solute, viscous

SOLUTION Defined for English Language Learners

solution

noun

Definition of solution for English Language Learners

: something that is used or done to deal with and end a problem : something that solves a problem
: the act of solving something
: a correct answer to a problem, puzzle, etc.

SOLUTION Defined for Kids

solution

noun so·lu·tion \ sə-ˈlü-shən \

Definition of solution for Students

1 : the act or process of solving

His solution to the problem was to wait.

2 : an answer to a problem : explanation

The solution of the math problem is on the board.

3 : the act or process by which a solid, liquid, or gas is dissolved in a liquid

4 : a liquid in which something has been dissolved

a solution of sugar in water

Medical Dictionary

solution

noun so·lu·tion \ sə-ˈlü-shən \

medical Definition of solution

1 a : an act or the process by which a solid, liquid, or gaseous substance is homogeneously mixed with a liquid or sometimes a gas or solid — called also dissolution

b : a homogeneous mixture formed by this process

2 a : a liquid containing a dissolved substance