1 solution | Definition of solution

solution

noun
so·​lu·​tion | \ sə-ˈlĂŒ-shən How to pronounce solution (audio) \

Definition of solution

1a : 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
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 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

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Synonyms for solution

Synonyms

answer, result

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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
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Recent Examples on the Web

Nobody is winning from the current situation and the clear solution seems a Neymar sale next summer, if not in January. SI.com, "Neymar: What Now for Barcelona & Paris Saint-Germain?," 4 Sep. 2019 To investigate further, researchers from Austria and Germany isolated individual walnut shell cells by soaking them in a solution designed to remove lignin, the complex organic polymer that makes plant cell walls sturdy. Ian Randall, Science | AAAS, "Why walnuts are such tough nuts to crack," 3 Sep. 2019 Every potential solution opens a potential door to be solved. Vincent T. Davis, ExpressNews.com, "Former San Antonio mayor’s plans for protecting animals could be ‘game changer’," 3 Sep. 2019 But as with potential solutions to climate change, there’s not a lot of political energy being put into the efforts. Scott Shackelford, The Conversation, "In a world of cyber threats, the push for cyber peace is growing," 3 Sep. 2019 It’s time to pay attention and figure out solutions. Time Staff, Time, "Beijing Dismisses Hong Kong's Radical Protesters as Separatist 'Thugs' Bent on 'Political Intimidation'," 3 Sep. 2019 The push-and-pull between Yanis and everyone else, including his own boss, occupies most of the movie, growing increasingly Kafkaesque as a real solution appears just around the corner and then suddenly becomes unobtainable. Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Adults in the Room': Film Review | Venice 2019," 31 Aug. 2019 But instead of providing solutions, these current economic systems are making things worse. Riane Eisler, Quartz, "The fight between capitalism and socialism will be won by a totally different “ism”," 29 Aug. 2019 Scientists achieve this transformation by bathing the stem cells in a solution containing the right cocktail of transcription factors, molecules that guide fetal development by regulating how genes are turned on or off. Bret Stetka, Scientific American, "Lab-Grown “Mini Brains” Can Now Mimic the Neural Activity of a Preterm Infant," 29 Aug. 2019

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.

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First Known Use of solution

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

History and Etymology for 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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More Definitions for solution

solution

noun

English Language Learners Definition of solution

: 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

noun
so·​lu·​tion | \ sə-ˈlĂŒ-shən How to pronounce solution (audio) \

Kids Definition of solution

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

solution

noun
so·​lu·​tion | \ sə-ˈlĂŒ-shən How to pronounce solution (audio) \

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 dissolution

b : a homogeneous mixture formed by this process
2a : 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

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