How can a combination of two or more substances that can be separated by ordinary means be described?

A combination of two or more substances that can be separated by ordinary means is best described as a mixture. Mixtures consist of two or more components that retain their individual properties and can be physically separated. This characteristic allows substances in a mixture to exist together without undergoing a chemical reaction.

In the context of the other options, a homogeneous mixture refers to a type of mixture where the components are uniformly distributed and cannot easily be distinguished from one another, such as saltwater. A solution is a specific type of homogeneous mixture where one substance (the solute) is completely dissolved in another (the solvent). A compound, on the other hand, is a substance formed when two or more elements chemically combine in fixed proportions, resulting in a material with distinct physical and chemical properties that cannot be separated by ordinary means.

Therefore, while the other terms describe specific types of mixtures or combinations, they do not accurately encompass the broader definition of a combination of substances that can be separated by ordinary means.