adsorption

noun

ad·​sorp·​tion ad-ˈsȯrp-shən How to pronounce adsorption (audio) -ˈzȯrp- How to pronounce adsorption (audio)
: the adhesion in an extremely thin layer of molecules (as of gases, solutes, or liquids) to the surfaces of solid bodies or liquids with which they are in contact compare absorption
adsorptive
ad-ˈsȯrp-tiv How to pronounce adsorption (audio)
-ˈzȯrp-
adjective

Examples of adsorption in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Water reclamation would be done through filtration, adsorption, and distillation of urine, very much as it is done today on the ISS. Jacek Krywko, Ars Technica, 13 Sep. 2023 The company is using a mix of technologies that include adsorption and a patented nanotechnology membrane that can almost instantly separate lithium. Which technology for DLE will win is still unclear. IEEE Spectrum, 31 Oct. 2023 Over $500 million has been allocated to provide LMICs with oxygen supplies, including pressure swing adsorption (PSA) oxygen generating plants, liquid oxygen, oxygen concentrators, pulse oximeters, and ventilators, and to finance health system improvements for delivering oxygen to patients. Jayasree K. Iyer, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2021 The high surface area increases access to the sorbent and increases CO2 adsorption rate significantly, Gupta says. IEEE Spectrum, 28 May 2022 Activated carbon helps remove chemicals through adsorption, a process in which pollutants are attracted to the carbon. Tamar Kane, Health, 6 Feb. 2023 Note that adsorption should not be confused with absorption, which is when a liquid or gas completely passes into or through another medium. Eunice Liu, Discover Magazine, 23 Aug. 2016 The Chinese team started with a bench-top experiment, then scaled up to 20 kilograms of material, and finally moved to a field test at an actual ion-adsorption deposit, trying the technique on a 14-ton hunk of clay. Bydennis Normile, science.org, 1 Nov. 2022 Professor Sagiv first demonstrated the adsorption of different thin films onto a wider range of materials such as metal and glass. Suze Kundu, Forbes, 1 June 2022

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Adsorption, from ad- ad- + (Ab)sorption absorption

First Known Use

1807, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of adsorption was in 1807

Dictionary Entries Near adsorption

Cite this Entry

“Adsorption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adsorption. Accessed 10 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

adsorption

noun
ad·​sorp·​tion -ˈsȯrp-shən How to pronounce adsorption (audio) -ˈzȯrp- How to pronounce adsorption (audio)
: the sticking of molecules (as of a gas or liquid) in a very thin layer to the surfaces of solid objects or liquids which the molecules come in contact with

Medical Definition

adsorption

noun
ad·​sorp·​tion ad-ˈsȯrp-shən How to pronounce adsorption (audio) -ˈzȯrp- How to pronounce adsorption (audio)
: the adhesion in an extremely thin layer of molecules (as of gases, solutes, or liquids) to the surfaces of solid bodies or liquids with which they are in contact compare absorption
adsorptive adjective

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