absorption

American  

[ab-sawrp-shuhn, -zawrp-] / æbˈsɔrp ʃən, -ˈzɔrp- /

noun

absorptions plural

1. the act of absorbing.

2. the state or process of being absorbed.

3. assimilation; incorporation.

   the absorption of small farms into one big one.

4. uptake of substances by a tissue, as of nutrients through the wall of the intestine.

5. a taking in or reception by molecular or chemical action, as of gases or liquids.

6. Physics. the removal of energy or particles from a beam by the medium through which the beam propagates.

7. complete attention or preoccupation; deep engrossment.

   absorption in one's work.

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absorption British  

/ əbˈsɔːpʃən, -ˈzɔːp- /

noun

1. the process of absorbing or the state of being absorbed

2. physiol

   1. normal assimilation by the tissues of the products of digestion

   2. the passage of a gas, fluid, drug, etc, through the mucous membranes or skin

3. physics a reduction of the intensity of any form of radiated energy as a result of energy conversion in a medium, such as the conversion of sound energy into heat

4. immunol the process of removing superfluous antibodies or antigens from a mixture using a reagent

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absorption Scientific  

/ əb-sôrp′shən /

1. Biology The movement of a substance, such as a liquid or solute, across a cell membrane by means of diffusion or osmosis.

2. Chemistry The process by which one substance, such as a solid or liquid, takes up another substance, such as a liquid or gas, through minute pores or spaces between its molecules. A paper towel takes up water, and water takes up carbon dioxide, by absorption.

3. Chemistry Compare adsorption

4. Physics The taking up and storing of energy, such as radiation, light, or sound, without it being reflected or transmitted. During absorption, the energy may change from one form into another. When radiation strikes the electrons in an atom, the electrons move to a higher orbit or state of excitement by absorption of the radiation's energy.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• overabsorption
  noun
• nonabsorption
  noun
• hyperabsorption
  noun
• absorptive
  adjective
• interabsorption
  noun

Inflected Forms

noun

• absorptions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of absorption

1590–1600; < Latin absorptiōn- (stem of absorptiō ), equivalent to absorpt ( us ), past participle of absorbēre to absorb + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

Absorption describes the process of absorbing or soaking up something: Sponges are good at water absorption; dark colors are better for heat absorption. Because the words absorption and absorb are so closely related, there's a tendency for people to try to spell absorption with a second B instead of a P, but don't fall for it. Remembering the correct spelling is going to take total absorption in studying — meaning you'll have to be totally focused and occupied with learning it.

Example Sentences

"A remarkable Ruby: Absorption in dense gas, rather than evolved stars, drives the extreme Balmer break of a Little Red Dot at z = 3.5" in Astronomy & Astrophysics.

From Science Daily • Nov. 29, 2025

Absorption decreases until the proton exchange reaches equilibrium.

From Science Daily • Jan. 5, 2024

The instrument, called a Long Differential Optical Absorption Spectrometer, collects information by beaming light from a parking garage to reflectors set at different heights in Fairbanks, and then studying the information that comes back.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 24, 2022

Figure 23.32 Digestive Secretions and Absorption of Water Absorption is a complex process, in which nutrients from digested food are harvested.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Absorption of softened tissue causes fever. d  Carl Spengler—Toxins in the blood of the tuberculous are kept in check by antibodies.

From Nurses' Papers on Tuberculosis : read before the Nurses' Study Circle of the Dispensary Department, Chicago Municipal Tuberculosis Sanitarium by Various

Related Words

• consumption
• digestion
• intake
• penetration
• retention
• saturation