so ‧ lu ‧ tion S2 W1 /səˈluːʃ ə n/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ solution , ↑ solvent , ↑ solubility , ↑ insolvency ; adjective : ↑ soluble ≠ ↑ insoluble , ↑ unsolved , ↑ solvent ≠ ↑ insolvent , ↑ solvable ≠ ↑ insolvable ; verb : ↑ solve ; adverb : ↑ insolvably ]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: Latin solutio , from solvere ; ⇨ ↑ solve ]
1 . [countable] a way of solving a problem or dealing with a difficult situation ⇨ solve :
The best solution would be for them to separate.
solution to/for
There are no simple solutions to the problem of overpopulation.
2 . [countable] the correct answer to a problem in an exercise or competition SYN answer ⇨ solve
solution to
The solution to last week’s puzzle is on page 12.
3 . [uncountable and countable] a liquid in which a solid or gas has been mixed:
a weak sugar solution
saline solution
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COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ a good solution
A good solution is to harvest the crop early in September.
▪ the best/perfect/ideal solution
Locking people in prison is not necessarily the ideal solution.
▪ an effective solution
The government has failed to come up with an effective solution.
▪ a satisfactory solution (=good enough)
We will not rest until a satisfactory solution is found.
▪ a neat solution (=simple and clever)
This sounded like a neat solution to the skills shortage.
▪ the only solution
The only solution is to greatly reduce our use of water.
▪ the real solution (=the only good solution)
The real solution to the waste problem is to produce much less waste.
▪ a possible solution
There are three possible solutions to this problem.
▪ an alternative solution
We need to look for alternative solutions.
▪ a simple/easy solution
There is no easy solution to this problem.
▪ a quick/speedy solution
We need to find a quick solution.
▪ a practical/workable solution (=one that is really possible)
They've had to find practical solutions to practical problems.
▪ a long-term solution (=one that will be effective for a long time)
A long-term solution to the problem will not be possible until that conflict is resolved.
▪ a quick-fix solution (=one that solves a problem for a short time only)
He has accused the government of looking for quick-fix solutions.
▪ a peaceful/political solution (=one that does not involve fighting)
We will continue to work strenuously for a political solution acceptable to all parties.
■ verbs
▪ find/come up with a solution
We are working together to find the best solution we can.
▪ seek/look for a solution
The company is still seeking a solution to its financial problems.
▪ provide/offer a solution
I don't think that tourism will provide a long-term solution to rural employment problems.
▪ suggest/put forward a solution
The chairman put forward a possible solution.
• • •
THESAURUS
■ a mxture of chemical substances
▪ compound a chemical substance that contains atoms of two or more ↑ element s :
common chemical compounds such as sodium chloride
▪ solution a liquid mixed with a solid or a gas:
a weak sugar solution