sorb

1 of 4

verb

sorbed; sorbing; sorbs

transitive verb

: to take up and hold by either adsorption or absorption
sorbability noun
sorbable adjective

Sorb

2 of 4

noun (1)

1
: wend
2
Sorbian adjective or noun

Sorbian

3 of 4

adjective

Sorb·​ian ˈsȯrbēən How to pronounce Sorbian (audio)
: wendish

Sorbian

4 of 4

noun (2)

"
plural -s
1
: wend
2
: wendish

Word History

Etymology

Verb

back-formation from absorb & adsorb

Noun (1)

German Sorbe, from Sorbian serbje

Adjective

Sorb + -ian

First Known Use

Verb

1909, in the meaning defined above

Noun (1)

1843, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sorb was in 1843

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Cite this Entry

“Sorb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sorb. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.

Medical Definition

sorb

transitive verb
: to take up and hold by either adsorption or absorption

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