so·lu·tion

[suh-loo-shuhn]
noun
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.
a.
the process of determining the answer to a problem.
b.
the answer itself.
5.
Chemistry.
a.
the process by which a gas, liquid, or solid is dispersed homogeneously in a gas, liquid, or solid without chemical change.
b.
such a substance, as dissolved sugar or salt in solution.
c.
a homogeneous, molecular mixture of two or more substances.
6.
Pharmacology. Also called liquor. a liquid, usually water, in which a medication is dissolved.
7.
Medicine/Medical.
a.
the termination of a disease.
b.
a breach or break in anything, especially one in parts of the body normally continuous, as from fracture or laceration: solution of continuity.
Origin:
1325–75; Middle English < Latin solūtiōn- (stem of solūtiō), equivalent to solūt(us) (see solute) + -iōn- -ion

Related forms
so·lu·tion·al, adjective
non·so·lu·tion, noun
pre·so·lu·tion, noun

Synonyms
3. key, resolution.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
solution (səˈluːʃən) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—n
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.  maths
 a.  the unique set of values that yield a true statement when substituted for the variables in an equation
 b.  a member of a set of assignments of values to variables under which a given statement is satisfied; a member of a solution set
8.  the stage of a disease, following a crisis, resulting in its termination
9.  law the payment, discharge, or satisfaction of a claim, debt, etc
 
[C14: from Latin solūtiō an unloosing, from solūtus; see solute]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

solution
late 14c., "a solving or being solved," from O.Fr. solucion, from L. solutionem (nom. solutio) "a loosening or unfastening," also "a solving," from pp. stem of solvere "to loosen, untie, solve, dissolve" (see solve). Meaning "liquid containing a dissolved substance" is first recorded 1590s.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

solution so·lu·tion (sə-l&oomacr;'shən)
n.
Abbr. sol., soln.

  1. A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances, which may be solids, liquids, gases, or a combination of these.

  2. The state of being dissolved.

  3. In pharmacology, a liquid preparation containing a solute, especially an aqueous solution of a nonvolatile substance.

  4. Termination of a disease by a crisis.

  5. A break, cut, or laceration of the solid tissues.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
solution   (sə-l'shən)  Pronunciation Key 

  1. Chemistry A mixture in which particles of one or more substances (the solute) are distributed uniformly throughout another substance (the solvent), so that the mixture is homogeneous at the molecular or ionic level. The particles in a solution are smaller than those in either a colloid or a suspension. Compare colloid, suspension.

  2. Mathematics A value or values which, when substituted for a variable in an equation, make the equation true. For example, the solutions to the equation x2 = 4 are 2 and -2.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary

solution definition


In chemistry, a uniform mixture of one solid, liquid, or gas with another solid, liquid, or gas.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
FOLDOC
Computing Dictionary

solution definition

jargon
A marketroid term for something he wants to sell you without bothering you with the often dizzying distinctions between hardware, software, services, applications, file formats, companies, brand names and operating systems.
"Flash is a perfect image-streaming solution." "What is it?" "Um... about a thousand dollars."
See also: technology.
(1998-07-07)

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © Denis Howe 2010 http://foldoc.org
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Example sentences
The short answer is that there is no perfect solution.
But one way to cut back on your expenses is to make your own fog solution.
The electrification of personal vehicles, however, offers an incomplete
  solution.
From plug-ins to planktonic algae, technology is part of the solution to
  climate change.
Image for solution
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