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noun so·lu·tion \sə-ˈlü-shən\

Definition of solution

1a : an action or process of solving a problemb : an answer to a problem : explanation; specifically : a set of values of the variables that satisfies an equation
2a : an act or the process by which a solid, liquid, or gaseous substance is homogeneously mixed with a liquid or sometimes a gas or solidb : a homogeneous mixture formed by this process; especially : a single-phase liquid systemc : 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

Their solution was to propose the new dam and a bypass channel for the fish, a project expected to take between two and three years to build.

— matt volz, The Seattle Times, "Montana dam blocked again over threat to endangered fish", 5 July 2017
To reduce expenditures in the future, Keselica's memo recommends decreasing the number of staff and eliminating one bus that shuttled people from ECC, and either renegotiating the contract with the parking company or find an alternative solution.

— mike danahey, Elgin Courier-News, "After successful weekend, Elgin looks toward next year's Civil War Experience", 29 June 2017
In a fractious party, everyone agreed that the Affordable Care Act was the wrong solution to what ailed the nation's health-care system, with too much government and too little freedom for consumers.

— dan balz, chicagotribune.com, "Once a unifier, undoing Obamacare is now an albatross around the GOP's neck", 27 June 2017
But according to Kellyanne Conway, there a solution for many of those who would be negatively affected by the Senate's Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA).

— maggie mallon, SELF, "Kellyanne Conway: Those on Medicaid Who Lose Insurance Should Get Jobs", 27 June 2017
Paul said the government can't afford the $120 billion in subsidies for the new Republican health care model and said his solution would involve legalizing the ability for citizens to shop over state lines for their plans.

— thomas novelly, The Courier-Journal, "Paul blasts California's 'short-sighted' decision to ban travel to Kentucky, hopes for changes to Senate health care bill", 26 June 2017
One cruise line has heard your troubles, however, and in kind, developed a solution: waterproof Snapchat Spectacles.

— ryan craggs, CNT, "Royal Caribbean's New 'SeaSeeker' Goggles Let You Take Underwater Snapchats", 26 June 2017
Possible solutions include revaluating budgets Every school has room for improvement.

— kyler sumter, USA TODAY College, "6 key facts to know about low-income student access to college", 22 June 2017
White House officials have repeatedly noted that these kinds of broad changes take time, and that President Donald Trump has given them the latitude to search for the best solutions, not just the fastest.

— emily jane fox, The Hive, "After Seeking Legal Counsel and Saying Hey to Tim Cook, Jared Kushner Is off to Bang Out Peace in the Middle East", 19 June 2017

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

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First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

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

SOLUTION Defined for English Language Learners

solution

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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

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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

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noun so·lu·tion \sə-ˈlü-shən\

Medical Definition of solution

1a: 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 dissolutionb: a homogeneous mixture formed by this process
2a: a liquid containing a dissolved substance an aqueous solutionb: a liquid and usually aqueous medicinal preparation with the solid ingredients solublec: the condition of being dissolved a substance in solution