Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
eluent
noun
ˈel-yənt

Definition
A solvent that is used in chromatography to carry a component of a mixture through a column.

Examples
- The eluent used in the experiment was a mixture of water and ethanol.
- Different eluents can drastically affect the separation of compounds in chromatography.
- After running the eluent through the column, the researcher observed distinct bands for the compounds.

Meaning
In chromatography, an eluent is the liquid that moves through a medium, helping to separate components based on their different affinities for the medium.

Synonyms
- solvent
- extractant
- carrier fluid