Which of the following best describes a solvent?

The choice that defines a solvent most accurately is the description of it as a liquid that dissolves other substances. In chemistry, a solvent is typically a liquid that has the ability to solvate or mix with other materials, often referred to as solutes. The key characteristic of a solvent is its capacity to dissolve a solute, thereby resulting in a solution. Water is the most common solvent and is often referred to as the "universal solvent" due to its ability to dissolve many different substances.

This definition highlights the role of a solvent in the context of solutions, where the interaction between the solvent and solute is crucial for various chemical processes and applications. The context of being a liquid is particularly important, as it distinguishes solvents from gases or solids, which do not function in the same way in terms of dissolving substances.