1
: able to pay all legal debts
a solvent company
2
: that dissolves or can dissolve
solvent action of water
solvently
adverb
1
: a usually liquid substance capable of dissolving or dispersing one or more other substances
2
: something that provides a solution
3
: something that eliminates or attenuates something especially unwanted
Examples of solvent in a Sentence
Adjective
He couldn't stay solvent after losing his business.
Recent Examples on the Web
Aditya Jadhav, Interesting Engineering, 25 May 2026
The Brookings Institution summarized them in a white paper that proposed making Social Security fully solvent for another 75 years.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 May 2026
Jason Henry, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
The ethanol gives the air a faint solvent edge, and every couple of years, thousands of liters are added to the tank and allowed to evaporate slowly.
—Deena Theresa, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for solvent
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Adjective
This facility will operate five solvent-extraction circuits continuously for 2,000-4,000 hours.
—Aditya Jadhav, Interesting Engineering, 25 May 2026
The Brookings Institution summarized them in a white paper that proposed making Social Security fully solvent for another 75 years.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 May 2026
Noun
Following an on-site inspection in November 2020, the South Coast AQMD cited GKN Aerospace in 2021 for failing to maintain required emission records for volatile organic compounds, which are gases emitted from paints, coatings and solvents.
—Jason Henry, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
The ethanol gives the air a faint solvent edge, and every couple of years, thousands of liters are added to the tank and allowed to evaporate slowly.
—Deena Theresa, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for solvent
Cite this Entry
“Solvent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/solvent. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
solvent
1 of 2 adjective
sol·vent
ˈsäl-vənt 
ˈsȯl-
: able to pay all legal debts
solvent
2 of 2 noun
: a usually liquid substance capable of dissolving one or more other substances
Medical Definition
solvent
1 of 2 adjective
sol·vent
ˈsäl-vənt, ˈsȯl-
: that dissolves or can dissolve
solvent fluids
solvent action of water
solvent
2 of 2 noun
: a substance capable of or used in dissolving or dispersing one or more other substances
especially
: a liquid component of a solution present in greater amount than the solute
Legal Definition
solvent
adjective
sol·vent
ˈsäl-vənt
: able to pay all legal debts as they become due
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