A solute is a substance that is dissolved in a liquid, forming a solution. For example, when you add salt to water, the salt acts as the solute, while the water is the solvent. The solute can be a solid, liquid, or gas, and it usually exists in a smaller amount compared to the solvent. In everyday life, solutes are all around us. When you make lemonade, the sugar you mix in is the solute that sweetens the drink. Understanding solutes is important in fields like chemistry and biology, where they play a crucial role in various processes and reactions.