sorb

1 of 2

verb

ˈsȯrb How to pronounce sorb (audio)
sorbed; sorbing; sorbs

transitive verb

: to take up and hold by either adsorption or absorption
sorbability
ˌsȯr-bə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce sorb (audio)
noun
sorbable
ˈsȯr-bə-bəl How to pronounce sorb (audio)
adjective

Sorb

2 of 2

noun

ˈsȯrb How to pronounce Sorb (audio)
1
: wend
2
: wendish
Sorbian
ˈsȯr-bē-ən How to pronounce Sorb (audio)
adjective or noun

Word History

Etymology

Verb

back-formation from absorb & adsorb

Noun

German Sorbe, from Sorbian serbje

First Known Use

Verb

1909, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1843, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sorb was in 1843

Browse Nearby Words

sorance
sorb
Sorb
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sorb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sorb. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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Medical Definition

sorb

transitive verb
ˈsȯrb How to pronounce sorb (audio)
: to take up and hold by either adsorption or absorption

More from Merriam-Webster on sorb

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sorb

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