SOLUTION

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does solution mean? 

• SOLUTION (noun)
  The noun SOLUTION has 5 senses:

1. a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances; frequently (but not necessarily) a liquid solution

2. a statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem

3. a method for solving a problem

4. the set of values that give a true statement when substituted into an equation

5. the successful action of solving a problem

  Familiarity information: SOLUTION used as a noun is common.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SOLUTION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances; frequently (but not necessarily) a liquid solution

Classified under:

Nouns denoting substances

Context example:

he used a solution of peroxide and water

Hypernyms ("solution" is a kind of...):

mixture ((chemistry) a substance consisting of two or more substances mixed together (not in fixed proportions and not with chemical bonding))

Domain member category:

congo red (a red-brown azo dye especially as a chemical pH indicator (congo red is red in basic and blue in acidic solutions))

fluorescein; fluoresceine; fluorescent dye; resorcinolphthalein (a yellow dye that is visible even when highly diluted; used as an absorption indicator when silver nitrate solution is added to sodium chloride in order to precipitate silver chloride (turns pink when no chloride ions are left in solution and negative fluorescein ions are then absorbed))

solubility (the quantity of a particular substance that can dissolve in a particular solvent (yielding a saturated solution))

N; normality ((of a solution) concentration expressed in gram equivalents of solute per liter)

saltiness (the property of containing salt (as a compound or in solution))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "solution"):

toner (a solution containing chemicals that can change the color of a photographic print)

Gram's solution (a solution used in staining bacteria by Gram's method; consists of one part iodine and two parts potassium iodide and 300 parts water)

sal volatile; spirits of ammonia (a solution of ammonium carbonate in ammonia water and alcohol)

primary solid solution; solid solution (a homogeneous solid that can exist over a range of component chemicals; a constituent of alloys that is formed when atoms of an element are incorporated into the crystals of a metal)

sap (a watery solution of sugars, salts, and minerals that circulates through the vascular system of a plant)

liquid bleach (a solution containing bleaching agents; used for laundry)

isosmotic solution; isotonic solution (a solution having the same osmotic pressure as blood)

injectant; injection (any solution that is injected (as into the skin))

extract; infusion (a solution obtained by steeping or soaking a substance (usually in water))

gargle; mouthwash (a medicated solution used for gargling and rinsing the mouth)

formalin; formol (a 10% solution of formaldehyde in water; used as a disinfectant or to preserve biological specimens)

Fehling's solution (a liquid solution of copper sulfate and potassium tartrate and sodium hydroxide that is used to test for sugar in the urine; solution turns reddish when sugar is present)

eluate (a liquid solution that results from elution)

electrolyte (a solution that conducts electricity)

dilution (a diluted solution)

conjugate; conjugate solution (a mixture of two partially miscible liquids A and B produces two conjugate solutions: one of A in B and another of B in A)

chlorine water (an aqueous solution of chlorine used as a bleaching agent)

collodion (a colorless syrupy solution of pyroxylin in ether and alcohol; used as a coating for wounds or photographic films)

buffer solution (a solution containing a buffer)

bleach liquor (a solution containing bleaching agents that is used to bleach textiles or paper pulp)

aqueous solution (a solution in water)

brine (a strong solution of salt and water used for pickling)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

answer; resolution; result; solution; solvent

Context example:

he computed the result to four decimal places

Hypernyms ("solution" is a kind of...):

statement (a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "solution"):

denouement (the final resolution of the main complication of a literary or dramatic work)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A method for solving a problem

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Context example:

the easy solution is to look it up in the handbook

Hypernyms ("solution" is a kind of...):

method (a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "solution"):

silver bullet (a simple guaranteed solution for a difficult problem)

Sense 4

Meaning:

The set of values that give a true statement when substituted into an equation

Classified under:

Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects

Synonyms:

root; solution

Hypernyms ("solution" is a kind of...):

set ((mathematics) an abstract collection of numbers or symbols)

Sense 5

Meaning:

The successful action of solving a problem

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Context example:

the solution took three hours

Hypernyms ("solution" is a kind of...):

success (an attainment that is successful)

Derivation:

solve (find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of)

 Context examples 

BCG solution may help the body’s immune system kill cancer cells.

(BCG solution, NCI Dictionary)

And yet the next day brought us no nearer to the solution of the mystery.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

One potential solution is to provide donors with iron supplements.

(Iron Supplements Hasten Recovery in Blood Donors, NIH)

Compared to control mice given the drugs free in solution or in nontargeted nanoparticles, the mice treated with the targeted nanoparticles had darker white fat.

(Nanoparticles target, transform fat tissue, NIH)

That is a possible solution—in fact, as matters stand, it is the most probable one.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The quantity of 260nm light that is not transmitted through a substance or solution.

(Absorbance at 260nm, NCI Thesaurus)

They tested 2 of the gel solutions as a potential drug-delivery system.

(Developing novel ear infection treatments, NIH)

Libra is a sign that loves to entertain, so when you are finished changing your space (or moving), you’ll want to invite everyone you know to see your creative solutions.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

The inks are produced by standard solution processing techniques.

(Washable, wearable battery-like devices could be woven directly into clothes, University of Cambridge)

This solution was a source of pleasure.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)