A nonelectrolyte is a substance that does not dissociate into ions when dissolved in a solvent, typically water. As a result, it does not conduct electricity in its aqueous solution.
Common examples of nonelectrolytes include sugars, alcohols, and urea. When these substances are mixed with water, they dissolve but remain as molecules rather than breaking apart into ions. This lack of ionic dissociation is what distinguishes nonelectrolytes from electrolytes, which do produce ions in solution and therefore can conduct electricity.
The behavior of nonelectrolytes is important in various chemical and biological processes. For instance, they can influence the colligative properties of solutions, such as boiling point elevation and freezing point depression, even though they do not affect conductivity.