absorb

verb

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ab·sorb | \ əb-ˈsȯrb

, -ˈzȯrb

absorbed; absorbing; absorbs

Definition of absorb

transitive verb

1a : to take in (something, such as water) in a natural or gradual way a sponge absorbs water charcoal absorbs gas plant roots absorb water

b : to take in (knowledge, attitudes, etc.) : acquire, learn … convictions absorbed in youth …— M. R. Cohen

c : use up, consume The fever absorbed her strength. His work absorbs all his time and attention.

2 : to take in and make part of an existent whole the capacity of a country to absorb new immigrants

3 : to engage or engross wholly an interest that absorbs her completely absorbed in thought

4a(1) : to receive without recoil or echo provided with a sound-absorbing surface

(2) : endure, sustain absorbing hardships

(3) : assume, bear The expenses were absorbed by the company.

b : to transform (radiant energy) into a different form especially with a resulting rise in temperature The earth absorbs the sun's rays.

Other Words from absorb Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About absorb

Other Words from absorb

absorbability \ əb-ˌsȯr-bə-ˈbi-lə-tē

, -ˌzȯr- \ noun

absorbable \ əb-ˈsȯr-bə-bəl

, -ˈzȯr-

\ adjective

Examples of absorb in a Sentence

a fabric that absorbs sweat The walls are made of a material that absorbs sound. absorbing heat from the sun She is good at absorbing information. He has retained the values that he absorbed as a young man. a country that has absorbed many immigrants smaller countries invaded and absorbed by bigger ones His interest in photography absorbs him completely. I was so absorbed by her story that I lost track of time. See More

Recent Examples on the Web When the university managed to absorb it just by tightening its belt, the board greenlighted a second year, then a third. — Lee Lawrence, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Aug. 2022 To boil the albedo effect down to its most basic form, brighter colors reflect heat away from the Earth, whereas darker ones absorb them and contribute to warming. — Erik Millar, Forbes, 25 July 2022 While the rainfall across the Gulf Coast could be beneficial for areas experiencing drought, the precipitation could come too quickly for the parched ground to absorb it, resulting in flash flooding. — Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 27 June 2022 One key question is whether companies that are given tariff relief would actually pass those savings on in the form of lower prices or choose to absorb them as profits. — New York Times, 14 June 2022 Instead, try to deliver water to the soil where plants’ roots can absorb it. — Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2022 So a lot of things kind of came to me having known the show, but also out in the ether or being able to absorb it. — Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 June 2022 Continue cooking at high heat and add the vegetable broth a little at a time, stirring continuously after each addition and allowing the rice to absorb it. — CNN, 8 May 2022 Politico said the Alito draft was circulated in February, so the Justices have had ample time to absorb it and respond. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, 3 May 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'absorb.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for absorb

borrowed from Middle French assorber, absorber, asorbir, absorbir, going back to Old French, borrowed (with conjugation changes) from Latin absorbēre, from ab- ab- + sorbēre "to suck up, draw in, engulf," going back to Indo-European *sṛb^h-eii̯̯e-, probably re-formed from *srob^h-eii̯̯e-, iterative derivative from the verb base *sreb^h- "suck up, drink noisily"; akin to Greek rophéō, ropheîn "to drink in gulps," Armenian arbi "drank," Lithuanian srebiù, srė̃bti "to gulp," Old Russian sereblyu, serebati

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Dictionary Entries Near absorb

absonant

absorb

absorbance

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Last Updated

18 Aug 2022

Cite this Entry

“Absorb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absorb. Accessed 18 Aug. 2022.

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More Definitions for absorb

absorb

verb

ab·sorb | \ əb-ˈsȯrb

, -ˈzȯrb \

absorbed; absorbing

Kids Definition of absorb

1 : to take in or swallow up A sponge absorbs water.

2 : to hold the complete attention of She was absorbed by the movie.

3 : to receive without giving back The walls of the theater absorb sound.

absorb

transitive verb

ab·sorb | \ əb-ˈsȯ(ə)rb

, -ˈzȯ(ə)rb

Medical Definition of absorb

1 : to take up especially by capillary, osmotic, solvent, or chemical action surgical sutures which can be absorbed by the body the blood in the lungs absorbs oxygen

2 : to transform (radiant energy) into a different form usually with a resulting rise in temperature chlorophyll reflects green light and absorbs the other colors of light

Other Words from absorb

absorbable \ əb-ˈsȯr-bə-bəl

, -ˈzȯr-

\ adjective

absorber noun

absorb

transitive verb

ab·sorb