absorber

[ab-sawr-ber, -zawr-]

noun

1. a person or thing that absorbs.

2. shock absorber.

3. Physics.,  a material in a nuclear reactor that absorbs neutrons without reproducing them.

absorber

/ əbˈsɔːbə, -ˈzɔː- /

noun

1. a person or thing that absorbs

2. physics a material that absorbs radiation or causes it to lose energy

Word History and Origins

Origin of absorber¹

First recorded in 1785–95; absorb + -er ¹

Example Sentences

For retirees, it’s a good idea to have shock absorbers in your portfolio and make sure you aren’t too reliant on one hot stock or sector.

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First, China has turned itself into the world’s oil shock absorber.

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“In a perfect world,” Velis said, the SRF would be the shock absorber, where you are lending against good collateral to banks at the auction rate.

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Unlike previous designs that relied on toxic or unstable light absorbers, this new biohybrid model uses non-toxic materials, runs more efficiently, and remains stable without extra additives.

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Those are solid results, considering the funds’ big helpings of bonds—the safety-first shock absorbers that make up a big part of their appeal to cautious investors.

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Related Words

• armor 
• buffer 
• bulwark 
• safeguard 
• shelter