Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act or process of solving a problem or question: The successful action of finding an answer to or dealing with a difficulty.
   • An answer to a problem or puzzle: A statement, method, or result that resolves a problem or explains how to solve it.
   • A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances: A liquid mixture in which a minor component (the solute) is uniformly distributed within a major component (the solvent).
   • The set of values that satisfy an equation: In mathematics, the answer or set of answers that make an equation true.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The engineers worked hard to find a solution to the bridge's structural weakness.
  • The solution to the crossword puzzle was published in the next day's newspaper.
  • She prepared a saline solution by dissolving salt in water.
  • After checking his work, he confirmed that x=5 was the correct solution to the equation.

Advanced Usage

• "To be in solution": (Idiomatic) To be in a state of uncertainty, flux, or dissolution; not yet settled or fixed.
  • The company's future plans are still in solution; nothing has been finalized yet.

Variants and Related Words

• Solvent (n): The liquid component of a solution, typically the substance that dissolves the solute.
  • Water is a common solvent for many salts.
• Soluble (adj): Capable of being dissolved in a liquid.
  • Sugar is soluble in water.
• Solve (v): To find an answer or solution to a problem or question.
  • He managed to solve the complex math problem.

Synonyms

• Answer: A response to a question or problem.
• Resolution: A firm decision or the act of solving a problem.
• Mixture: A substance made by mixing other substances together (specifically for the chemistry meaning).

Related Phrases

• Final solution: A phrase historically associated with a specific, horrific policy; in general modern usage, it means a definitive answer to a long-standing problem. (Note: This phrase carries extremely heavy historical connotations and must be used with extreme caution and awareness of context.)
• Problem-solution structure: A common format in writing and speaking where a problem is presented, followed by its solution.

Idioms

• The solution to someone's problems: An answer that resolves all of a person's difficulties (often used sarcastically).
  • He thinks buying a new car is the solution to all his problems, but it will just create more debt.

Noun

1. the successful action of solving a problem
   • the solution took three hours
2. the set of values that give a true statement when substituted into an equation
3. a method for solving a problem
   • the easy solution is to look it up in the handbook
4. a statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem
   • they were trying to find a peaceful solution
   • the answers were in the back of the book
   • he computed the result to four decimal places
5. a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances; frequently (but not necessarily) a liquid solution
   • he used a solution of peroxide and water