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

Scientists from the University of California, Davis, discovered that the types of fruits blended together can change how much nutrition your body actually absorbs.

Read more on Science Daily

This immense carbon sink functions through a complex circulation system: deep water rises to the surface, exchanges gases with the atmosphere, and then sinks again, carrying absorbed CO2 back into the depths.

Read more on Science Daily

An Aga is an iron cooking range which absorbs heat and then releases it slowly, so the cooker stays warm even when it's not in use.

Read more on BBC

Iran declared one of the country's largest private banks bankrupt with its assets absorbed by the state, official media reported Saturday, in a rare move in the country grappling with international sanctions.

Read more on Barron's

“Back in the time of the czars, or Stalin, Russia’s great strength was that it was so big that it could always just absorb invading armies,” said retired Lt.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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