Which of the following best describes a solid?

A solid is characterized by having a definite shape and volume. This means that unlike liquids and gases, solids maintain their form and size regardless of the surrounding environment. The particles in a solid are closely packed together in a fixed arrangement, which restricts their movement, allowing the solid to retain both its shape and volume.

In contrast, liquids take the shape of their container and have a definite volume, while gases do not have a fixed shape or volume and can be compressed easily. These properties highlight the distinctive nature of solids compared to the other states of matter.