absorb

[ab-sawrb, -zawrb]

verb (used with object)

1. to suck up or drink in (a liquid); soak up.

   A sponge absorbs water.

2. to swallow up the identity or individuality of; incorporate.

   The empire absorbed many small nations.

   Synonyms: destroy, engulf, devour, consume, assimilate

3. to involve the full attention of; to engross or engage wholly.

   so absorbed in a book that he did not hear the bell.

4. to occupy or fill.

   This job absorbs all of my time.

5. to take up or receive by chemical or molecular action.

   Carbonic acid is formed when water absorbs carbon dioxide.

6. to take in without echo, recoil, or reflection.

   to absorb sound and light; to absorb shock.

7. to take in and utilize.

   The market absorbed all the computers we could build. Can your brain absorb all this information?

8. to pay for (costs, taxes, etc.).

   The company will absorb all the research costs.

9. Archaic.,  to swallow up.

absorb

/ əbˈsɔːb, -ˈzɔːb /

verb

1. to soak or suck up (liquids)

2. to engage or occupy (the interest, attention, or time) of (someone); engross

3. to receive or take in (the energy of an impact)

4. physics to take in (all or part of incident radiated energy) and retain the part that is not reflected or transmitted

5. to take in or assimilate; incorporate

6. to accept and find a market for (goods, etc)

7. to pay for as part of a commercial transaction

   the distributor absorbed the cost of transport

8. chem to cause to undergo a process in which one substance, usually a liquid or gas, permeates into or is dissolved by a liquid or solid Compare adsorb

   porous solids absorb water

   hydrochloric acid absorbs carbon dioxide

Other Word Forms

• absorbable adjective
• absorbability noun
• nonabsorbability noun
• nonabsorbable adjective
• overabsorb verb (used with object)
• preabsorb verb
• reabsorb verb (used with object)
• unabsorbable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of absorb¹

First recorded in 1480–90; from Latin absorbēre, from ab- ab- + sorbēre “to suck in, swallow”

Word History and Origins

Origin of absorb¹

C15: via Old French from Latin absorbēre to suck, swallow, from _ab- ¹ + sorbēre to suck

Example Sentences

The program will also absorb management time and reduce the proportion of spending directed toward growth and productivity, Wiles warns.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"The supply chain, including manufacturers and the importers, are absorbing most of the tariff while holding consumer price increases in check," he said.

Read more on Barron's

In fact, they immediately set themselves on the task of pleasing Carol and those like her, along with solving the riddle of their immunity, so they can absorb the stragglers into their joy amoeba.

Read more on Salon

While large companies can generally absorb these costs, they pose a much greater burden for smaller companies.

Read more on Barron's

Its ability to absorb light is extremely strong, giving it a very high chance of capturing incoming light particles.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

• assimilate 
• follow 
• get 
• incorporate 
• learn 
• take in 
• understand