solution

UK: /səˈluːʃ^ən/ US: /səˈluʃən/ ,(sə lo̅o̅′shən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

so•lu•tion /səˈluʃən/   n. 

1. the act or process of solving a problem, or the state of being solved:
   [uncountable] No solution is possible for that problem.
2. [countable] an answer to a problem.
3. Chemistry
   • [uncountable] the process by which a gas, liquid, or solid is spread in a gas, liquid, or solid without chemical change:
     in solution.
   • [countable] a mixture of substances by this process.

See -solv-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

so•lu•tion  (sə lo̅o̅′shən), n. 

1. the act of solving a problem, question, etc.:
   The situation is approaching solution.
2. the state of being solved:
   a problem capable of solution.
3. a particular instance or method of solving;
   an explanation or answer:
   The solution is as good as any other.
4. Mathematics
   • the process of determining the answer to a problem.
   • the answer itself.
5. Chemistry
   • the process by which a gas, liquid, or solid is dispersed homogeneously in a gas, liquid, or solid without chemical change.
   • such a substance, as dissolved sugar or salt in solution.
   • a homogeneous, molecular mixture of two or more substances.
6. Drugs [Pharm.] Also called liquor. a liquid, usually water, in which a medication is dissolved.
7. Medicine
   • the termination of a disease.
   • a breach or break in anything, esp. one in parts of the body normally continuous, as from fracture or laceration:
     solution of continuity.

• Latin solūtiōn- (stem of solūtiō), equivalent. to solūt(us) (see solute) + -iōn- -ion
• Middle English 1325–75

so•lu′tion•al, adj. 
Synonyms

• 3. key, resolution.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

solution / səˈluːʃən/ noun

1. a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances in which the molecules or atoms of the substances are completely dispersed. The constituents can be solids, liquids, or gases
2. the act or process of forming a solution
3. the state of being dissolved (esp in the phrase in solution)
4. a mixture of two or more substances in which one or more components are present as small particles with colloidal dimension; colloid: a colloidal solution
5. a specific answer to or way of answering a problem
6. the act or process of solving a problem
7. the unique set of values that yield a true statement when substituted for the variables in an equation
8. a member of a set of assignments of values to variables under which a given statement is satisfied; a member of a solution set

Etymology: 14th Century: from Latin solūtiō an unloosing, from solūtus; see solute