solution

noun

so·​lu·​tion sə-ˈlü-shən 

1

a

: an act or means 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

chemistry : a homogenous mixture formed by mixing one solid, liquid, or gaseous substance with another

especially : a liquid system containing one phase

… use a mild disinfectant such as a bleach/water solution.

—Ed Blonz

b

chemistry : the act or process of such mixing

… the solution of CO₂ into oceanic waters causes the pH to fall as the ocean becomes more acidic.

—James W. Porter and Josiah Meigs

c

chemistry : the condition of being dissolved

3

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

a

: a separating of normally continuous parts (such as body parts)

b

: dissolution, dispersion

Synonyms of solution

• answer
• result

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 on the Web

Housing authority officials have been trying to find a solution to the foreclosure case for most of this year. —Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 17 Nov. 2025

Last week, President Emmanuel Macron said France would help the Palestinian Authority draft a constitution for a future Palestinian state, part of a broader effort to promote a two-state solution. —Tim Lister, CNN Money, 17 Nov. 2025

Instead of offering the fiction of a solution—a moral of the story that can be imposed on children, in some better form of adult authority—this offering of respect directs us to ways of moving into a shared predicament, and toward solidarity. —Literary Hub, 17 Nov. 2025

Bahr agrees, and would like to see the solutions focus shift to other ideas for extending the utility of solar energy, like the hydropower battery project at nearby Roosevelt Lake proposed by Phoenix-area utility Salt River Project, and the company’s pilot program to test new iron flow batteries. —Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 17 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Phrases Containing solution

• Benedict's solution
• Fehling's solution
• final solution
• Ringer's solution
• solution set

Rhymes for solution

• ablution
• aleutian
• confucian
• dilution
• elution
• locution
• pollution
• volution
• absolution
• allocution
• attribution
• comminution

Kids Definition

solution

noun

so·​lu·​tion sə-ˈlü-shən 

1

a

: an act or process of solving

b

: an answer to a problem : explanation

c

: solution set

2

a

: an act or the process by which a solid, liquid, or gaseous substance is dissolved in a liquid

b

: a liquid in which something has been dissolved

c

: the condition of being dissolved

Medical Definition

solution

noun

so·​lu·​tion sə-ˈlü-shən 

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

an aqueous solution

b

: a liquid and usually aqueous medicinal preparation with the solid ingredients soluble

c

: the condition of being dissolved

a substance in solution