absorption

American  

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

noun

• absorptions
  plural

1. the act of absorbing.

2. the state or process of being 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

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• absorptions
  plural

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

See Examples For:

absorption absorptions

Finally, HEPA-filter air purifiers that combine carbon absorption and ionizer technology combat everything from wildfire smoke to Covid.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026

Each formulation was tested for several important properties, including compressive strength, split tensile strength, water absorption, and impact resistance.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 22, 2026

Citi says margins could realistically be negative given fixed-cost absorption, high raw-material headwinds and worse-than-consensus volumes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026

“They promote absorption within the bowel so they slow down movement within the bowel but they also may stimulate the bowel to grow.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

The physical conditions were overlaid with military regimentation far beyond anything imposed at the Rad Lab, even after its absorption into the bomb project.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Organic growth was 10%, of which 4% was same clinic growth and 6% from clinic absorptions.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 24, 2026

A record of fascinations is at risk of careening into self-indulgence, but “Affinities” is also a record of absorptions, both Dillon’s and those of the artists he loves.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 20, 2023

These epithelia are active in the secretion and absorptions of molecules.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

Their quirky absorptions in, say, physics, baseball stats or investment strategies add enormously to human advancement.

From New York Times ● Feb. 1, 2012

Despite these absorptions Mrs. Gwynn managed to find leisure to read aloud to Judge Roscoe his favorite old novels, and essays, and dull antiquated histories.

From The Storm Centre by Mary Noailles Murfree

Related Words

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