absorb

verb

ab·sorb | \ əb-ˈsȯrb

absorbed; absorbing; absorbs

Definition of absorb

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.

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Other Words from absorb

absorbability \ əb-ˌsȯr-bə-ˈbi-lə-tē

, -ˌzȯr- \ noun

absorbable \ əb-ˈsȯr-bə-bəl

, -ˈzȯr- \ adjective

absorber noun

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

But critics say that these synthetic molecules may build up on strands, leading to breakage and preventing moisture from absorbing. — Deanna Pai, Bon Appétit, "Why a Good, Clean Haircare Brand Is Hard to Find," 11 June 2019 But many people worry about algorithms absorbing human prejudices. — The Economist, "Google rewards reputable reporting more than left-wing politics," 8 June 2019 Brown-Forman had to raise its prices as much as 10% in addition to absorbing some of the costs itself. — Tim Fernholz, Quartz, "Tariffs are weighing down Jack Daniel’s," 5 June 2019 Those can absorb some energy from objects and surfaces around the seat that might impact it in a crash (think of, say, a door panel or armrest in a side impact). — Alexander Stoklosa, Car and Driver, "Mercedes-Benz's Car Seat Prototype Will Make Children Safer," 21 May 2019 The greenhouse captures carbon gas that plants absorb for fuel. — Robert Philpot, star-telegram, "A Dallas-based company is aiming for a vertical revolution in farming," 28 June 2018 Only Seattle Slew had previously completed a Triple Crown without absorbing a loss along the way. — Tim Sullivan, The Courier-Journal, "Triple Crown winner Justify makes it look easy in Belmont victory," 9 June 2018 Diatomaceous earth causes insects to dry out and die by absorbing the oils and fats from the cuticle of the insect's exoskeleton. — OregonLive.com, "How to clear soil choked with old roots: Ask an expert," 6 June 2018 Coastal wetlands buffer the state from storm surge, absorb flooding, filter water and sequester greenhouse gases, all reasons that have prompted the state to launch a 50-year, $50-billion effort to restore the coast. — Sara Sneath, NOLA.com, "As Louisiana's coast washes away, state cashing in on disputed oil and gas rights," 31 May 2018

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 *sṛbh-eii̯̯e-, probably re-formed from *srobh-eii̯̯e-, iterative derivative from the verb base *srebh- "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

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Last Updated

15 Jun 2019

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Time Traveler for absorb

The first known use of absorb was in the 15th century

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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