solution
/səˈluːʃ(ə)n
/noun
1A means of solving a problem or dealing with a difficult situation: there are no easy solutions to financial and marital problems...
- The promotion of the article page was simply a short-term solution to a difficult situation.
- The decision to divest the business has not been an easy one to make but it is the only solution to a difficult and unsustainable situation.
- The easiest solution to this situation is to address the issue right in the beginning during the initial audition.
1.1The correct answer to a puzzle: the solution to this month’s crossword...
- No one likes having to try every object on every other one, because there's some obscure combination that will reward you with the solution to the puzzle.
- For each of the eight vignettes, Sarah pointed most often to the photograph that depicted the correct solution.
- An update to last week's prisoner switcheroo puzzle: the solution has been posted, and to be honest I'm disappointed.
Synonyms
answer, result, resolution, way out, panacea;
key, formula, guide, clue, pointer, gloss;
explanation, explication, clarification, interpretation, elucidation, exposition
1.2 (solutions) Products or services designed to meet a particular need: an Internet marketing firm specializing in e-commerce solutions...
- Rockwell Collins is at the forefront of developing secure, next-generation GPS solutions.
- The foundation is also active in supporting nonprofit groups that work on issues ranging from gay equality to mass transit solutions to handgun control.
- It is very unlikely that a mass-market internet service provider in the US could fund such a move by ad-supported solutions alone.
Synonyms
services, work, resource(s), programme, provision, offer, proposals, competence, output, deliverables;
products, merchandise, wares, goods
2A liquid mixture in which the minor component (the solute) is uniformly distributed within the major component (the solvent): a solution of ammonia in water...
- Some escapes as carbon dioxide from water solutions and returns to the atmosphere.
- Unlike common air, fixed air turned lime water (a solution of calcium hydroxide) cloudy.
- Since soap and detergents are salts, they separate into their component ions in a solution of water.
Synonyms
mixture, mix, blend, compound, suspension, tincture, infusion, emulsion, colloid, gel, fluid;
Chemistry aerosol
2.1 [mass noun] The process or state of being dissolved in a solvent: gum tragacanth in solution is best used thinly on paper if we add aqueous ammonia to this precipitate, solution occurs...
- Typically the host molecules are dissolved in solution or, alternatively, are confined to a membrane plane.
- Metals usually make positive ions when the compounds are dissolved in solution.
- This seminar is vital to all scientists who need to characterize polymers or biopolymers in solution.
3 [mass noun] archaic The action of separating or breaking down; dissolution: the solution of British supremacy in South Africa...
- I began to be aware of a change in the temper of my thoughts, a greater boldness, a contempt of danger, a solution of the bonds of obligation.
Origin
Late Middle English: from Old French, from Latin solutio(n-), from solvere 'loosen' (see solve).
Rhymes
- have-a-go
- have a go at
- have a (good) run for one's money
- have a hand in something
- have a heart
- have a heart of gold
- have a lash at
- have all day
- have a lock on
- have a long way to go
- have a lot (or not much) on the ball
- have a mind of one's own
- have a moment
- have a mountain to climb
- have an axe to grind
- have an eye for
- have a nice day
- have ants in one's pants
- have a/one's cross to bear
- have a (or a good or half a) mind to do something
- have a (or one's) bellyful
- have a plum in one's mouth
- have a problem with
- have a screw loose
- have a shy at