absorption

American  

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

noun

1. the act of absorbing.

2. the state or process of being absorbed. 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

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

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

They recreated stomach conditions to estimate how much lead could become available for absorption.

From Science Daily • Apr. 2, 2026

Black is the absorption of light; white is the presence of every wavelength.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

"These preclinical findings represent a crucial leap forward in our goal of developing a treatment that safeguards liver function and improves nutrient absorption, enhancing the quality of life for patients affected by short bowel syndrome."

From Science Daily • Mar. 18, 2026

Porkalob has the storyteller’s gift of total absorption.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

There was something else, the solemnity of the scene, the complete silence, the absorption.

From "Gregor the Overlander" by Suzanne Collins

Related Words

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