solvent

A solvent is a substance, usually a liquid, that dissolves other substances to form a uniform mixture called a solution. Its main role is to pull apart the particles of the substance it dissolves, allowing them to disperse evenly throughout the solvent. Water is the most common solvent, often called the "universal solvent" because it can dissolve many types of substances. Solvents are widely used in industries like cleaning, manufacturing, and laboratories to dissolve solids, liquids, or gases, making processes more efficient and products easier to use or analyze.