dilution

Everyday

1. The act of making a liquid weaker or thinner by adding water or another liquid. tree →
2. A liquid that has been made weaker this way. tree →
3. The weakening of something, like an idea, power or share. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on mixtures and solutions, dilution means adding solvent so the solution is less concentrated; in cooking and cleaning you dilute squash or bleach; in safety, labels give the right dilution; phrases: «the dilution of squash», «one part to ten parts water».

Examples

• Dilution makes the orange squash less sweet. tree →
• We tested how dilution changes the colour of food dye. tree →
• The label says the right dilution is one cap to five litres of water. tree →
• Dilution with lots of water makes a spill less harmful. tree →
• Each dilution was paler than the last one. tree →
• Too much dilution and the paint becomes runny. tree →
• Rain causes the dilution of salt in the rock pool. tree →

Note

From the verb dilute. In maths, a dilution ratio 1:4 means 1 part concentrate to 4 parts water, so 5 parts in all; the concentrate is 1/5 of the mix. Do not confuse with «delusion» (a false belief) or «dilation» (getting wider).