Solute vs. Solvent: The Core Distinction
A solvent is the substance that dissolves another substance, while a solute is the substance that gets dissolved. In any solution, the solvent is the component present in the largest amount, and the solute is the component present in a smaller amount.
Example: Making Saltwater
If you stir salt into a glass of water, the water acts as the solvent because it does the dissolving. The salt is the solute because it is the substance being dissolved. Together, they form a saltwater solution.