溶剂化，有时也称为溶解，为一吸引带有分子离子溶剂的溶液聚集的过程。当离子在溶剂中溶解，且会被溶剂分子所包围。

由国际纯粹与应用化学联合会 (IUPAC)定义，溶剂化是指溶质和溶剂之间的交互作用，使溶质在溶液中稳定。根据在依溶剂中离子被溶剂分子环绕，或是形成复合体，可以用来表示溶剂的状态。(参考solvation shell)溶剂化的观念，也可应用于不溶的物质，例如，离子交换树脂表面的官能基溶剂化。

在观念上，溶剂化和溶解以及溶解性是不同的。溶解为化学动力学的过程，借由其速率量化。当溶解率和沉淀率相等时，溶解性达到动态平衡的状态。

Solvation, also sometimes called dissolution, is the process of attraction and association of molecules of a solvent with molecules or ions of a solute. As ions dissolve in a solvent they spread out and become surrounded by solvent molecules. Solvation is the process of surrounding solute with solvent. It involves evening out a concentration gradient and evenly distributing the solute within the solvent.