absorbent

American  

[ab-sawr-buhnt, -zawr-] / æbˈsɔr bənt, -ˈzɔr- /

adjective

1. capable of absorbing heat, light, moisture, etc.; tending to absorb.

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noun

1. something that absorbs.

   Tons of high-powered absorbents were needed to clean up the oil spill.

absorbent British  

/ əbˈsɔːbənt, -ˈzɔː- /

adjective

1. able to absorb

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noun

1. a substance that absorbs

Other Word Forms

• absorbency noun
• nonabsorbency noun
• nonabsorbent adjective
• preabsorbent adjective
• semiabsorbent adjective
• unabsorbent adjective

Etymology

Origin of absorbent

First recorded in 1710–20, absorbent is from the Latin word absorbent- (stem of absorbēns, present participle of absorbēre ). See absorb, -ent

Example Sentences

Walk around it, and the shifting, light-reflective and -absorbent white forms create an uncanny illusion of the pillar in jumpy, unstable motion.

From Los Angeles Times

Cleanup teams are skimming and pumping oil from the tributary and deploying absorbent booms and pads to recover oil trapped along the creek bed.

From Los Angeles Times

The conclusion to take from that is either the world economy is more shock absorbent than thought or it is just a matter of timing, with the real pain ahead.

From BBC

Period pants are underwear with built-in absorbent layers.

From BBC

The cotton terry material is absorbent and warm.

From Los Angeles Times