What Is the Definition of a Fluid?

Chemistry Glossary Definition of Fluid

A cup of coffee spilling
anton5146 / Getty Images
By
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Chemistry Expert
  • Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
  • B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College
Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels.
Learn about our Editorial Process
Updated on August 12, 2019

A fluid is any substance that flows or deforms under applied shear stress. Fluids comprise a subset of the states of matter and include liquids, gases, and plasma.

The natural surface tension of liquids causes them to form spherical droplets, which minimize surface area.
Read More
Liquid Definition in Chemistry
By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

Examples

All liquids and gases are fluids (air, water, oil).

Format
mla apa chicago
Your Citation
Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "What Is the Definition of a Fluid?" ThoughtCo, Aug. 28, 2020, thoughtco.com/definition-of-fluid-604466. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 28). What Is the Definition of a Fluid? Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-fluid-604466 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "What Is the Definition of a Fluid?" ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-fluid-604466 (accessed April 19, 2024).