* In cooking: It's a substance used in the preparation of food. Think of flour, sugar, eggs, etc., in a cake recipe.
* In a mixture or solution: It's a substance that is combined with others to create something new. For example, the ingredients of a cleaning solution.
* In a broader sense: It can be any part or factor that contributes to the creation of something. For example, the ingredients of a successful business could be a great product, talented employees, and effective marketing.
The key takeaway is that an ingredient is a necessary part of something larger.