1
: able to pay all legal debts
a solvent company
2
: that dissolves or can dissolve
solvent action of water
solvently
adverb
1
: a usually liquid substance capable of dissolving or dispersing one or more other substances
2
: something that provides a solution
3
: something that eliminates or attenuates something especially unwanted
Examples of solvent in a Sentence
Adjective
He couldn't stay solvent after losing his business.
Recent Examples on the Web
John Kostyack, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
Under current law, the program is expected to be solvent through 2098, and to begin to pay out benefits starting in July 2026, per state officials.
—Melissa Santos, Axios, 7 Oct. 2024
Julia Ries, Outside Online, 14 Nov. 2024
These chemicals have several crucial uses, including water treatment processes, plastics, solvents, paper, pesticides, cleaning products, and de-icing products.
—Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for solvent 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
At least 120,000 oil and gas wells across the US have been abandoned by their original owners and lack financially solvent operators.
—John Kostyack, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
Under current law, the program is expected to be solvent through 2098, and to begin to pay out benefits starting in July 2026, per state officials.
—Melissa Santos, Axios, 7 Oct. 2024
Noun
Some brands, like Bose, recommend using rubbing alcohol on the plastic exterior; others, like Sony, say solvents can wear down headphone materials.
—Julia Ries, Outside Online, 14 Nov. 2024
These chemicals have several crucial uses, including water treatment processes, plastics, solvents, paper, pesticides, cleaning products, and de-icing products.
—Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for solvent
Dictionary Entries Near solvent
Cite this Entry
“Solvent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/solvent. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
solvent
1 of 2 adjective
sol·vent
ˈsäl-vənt 
ˈsȯl-
: able to pay all legal debts
solvent
2 of 2 noun
: a usually liquid substance capable of dissolving one or more other substances
Medical Definition
solvent
1 of 2 adjective
sol·vent
ˈsäl-vənt, ˈsȯl-
: that dissolves or can dissolve
solvent fluids
solvent action of water
solvent
2 of 2 noun
: a substance capable of or used in dissolving or dispersing one or more other substances
especially
: a liquid component of a solution present in greater amount than the solute
Legal Definition
solvent
adjective
sol·vent
ˈsäl-vənt
: able to pay all legal debts as they become due
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share