What state of matter has a definite volume but no definite shape?

The state of matter that has a definite volume but no definite shape is a liquid. In this state, the particles are closely packed together, allowing them to maintain a fixed volume; however, they are not held in a rigid structure as in solids. This characteristic allows liquids to take the shape of the container they are in. For example, when you pour water into a glass, it conforms to the shape of the glass while still retaining its volume.

In contrast, solids have both a definite shape and volume because their particles are tightly bound in a fixed arrangement. Gases, on the other hand, have neither a definite shape nor a definite volume, as their particles are spread out and can freely move. Plasma, being a state of matter consisting of ionized gases, also does not have a definite shape or volume due to the nature of its charged particles. Thus, liquids are distinct in their ability to maintain volume while adapting to the shape of their containers.