What defines a liquid?

A liquid is defined by its ability to take the shape of its container while maintaining a definite volume. This means that when you pour a liquid into a cup or a bottle, it will conform to the shape of that container. However, the amount of liquid remains constant, which reflects its definite volume. This characteristic distinguishes liquids from solids, which have a fixed shape, and gases, which do not have a definite shape or volume. The selection of this definition highlights the essential properties that characterize liquids within the states of matter, emphasizing their unique behavior in different environments.