the process of separating one constituent from a mixture by dissolving it in a solvent in which it is soluble but in which the other constituents of the mixture are not
The process is usually carried out in the liquid phase, in which case it is also known as liquid-liquid extraction. In liquid-liquid extraction, the solution containing the desired constituent must be immiscible with the rest of the mixture. The process is widely used in extracting oil from oil-bearing materials.
