absorb

play

verb ab·sorb \ əb-ˈsȯrb , -ˈzȯrb \

Definition of absorb

transitive verb

1 a :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

4 a (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.

—

absorbability

play \əb-ˌsȯr-bə-ˈbi-lə-tē, -ˌzȯr-\ noun

—

absorbable

play \əb-ˈsȯr-bə-bəl, -ˈzȯr-\ adjective

—

absorber

noun

See absorb defined for English-language learners

See absorb defined for kids

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 of absorb from the Web

Permeable pavers, an environmentally-friendly alternative to asphalt, help absorb storm water run-off and prevent flooding, officials said.

— karen ann cullotta, chicagotribune.com, "Construction on $28 million Arlington Heights police station on track for 2018 completion," 18 July 2017
Will Nevin said the family is still trying absorb the events of the past few days.

— carol robinson, AL.com, "'She didn't deserve this': Body of young mother found in Tuscaloosa County woods," 17 July 2017
This year, the science ministry absorbed a 44% budget decrease.

— herton escobar, Science | AAAS, "Cuts imperil Brazil’s stake in astronomy observatories," 17 July 2017
When the European Union absorbed eight countries from central and eastern Europe in 2004, their citizens gained the right to live and work in Britain.

— The Economist, "Poles apartWhy central and eastern European children lag behind in British schools," 13 July 2017
But an analysis of state Medicaid programs by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that Kansas and Missouri might have more difficulty absorbing cuts than other states. ‘

— andy marso, kansascity.com, "Here’s how Medicaid changes in GOP health bills might affect Kansas and Missouri," 2 July 2017
And as the airlines and airports absorb the higher costs of complying with the new rules, the industry officials said, ticket prices could increase.

— micah maidenberg, New York Times, "Airlines Face New Security Rules in Summer Scramble," 30 June 2017
How your partner takes the information, uses it, absorbs it, and proceeds going forward says everything about him or her.

— gigi engle, Teen Vogue, "How to Talk to Your Partner About Rape," 30 June 2017
These systemic herbicides are absorbed through the leaves and spread to kill the entire plant.

— beth botts, chicagotribune.com, "How to remove poison ivy from your yard safely," 28 June 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of 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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

absorb Synonyms

Synonyms

drink, imbibe, soak (up), sponge, suck (up), take up

Antonyms

renew, replace

Related Words

gulp, guzzle, quaff, sip, slurp, swallow, swig, swill

Near Antonyms

bore, jade, pall, tire, weary

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

alkali, cation, decant, hygroscopic, isotope, oxidize, slurry, solute, viscous

ABSORB Defined for Kids

absorb

play

verb ab·sorb \ əb-ˈsȯrb , -ˈzȯrb \

Definition of absorb for Students

absorbed; absorbing

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.

Medical Dictionary

absorb

play

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

—

absorbable

play \əb-ˈsȯr-bə-bəl, -ˈzȯr-\ adjective

—

absorber

noun

Law Dictionary

absorb

transitive verb ab·sorb

legal Definition of absorb

1 :to make (a right guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution) applicable to the states

2 a :to bear or assume the burden of

expenses were absorbed by the company

b :to lessen the tax liability for

has other losses to absorb the income
—D. Q. Posin

Learn More about absorb

See words that rhyme with absorb Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for absorb Spanish Central: Translation of absorb Nglish: Translation of absorb for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of absorb for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up absorb? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

absorb

Definition of absorb

absorbability

absorbable

absorber

From the M-W Editors

Examples of absorb in a Sentence

Recent Examples of absorb from the Web

Origin and Etymology of absorb

absorb Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

ABSORB Defined for Kids

absorb

Definition of absorb for Students

Medical Dictionary

absorb

medical Definition of absorb

absorbable

absorber

Law Dictionary

absorb

legal Definition of absorb

Learn More about absorb

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

Let's Talk 'Tea'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066