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absorb

verb
ab·​sorb | \ əb-ˈsȯrb How to pronounce absorb (audio) , -ˈzȯrb How to pronounce absorb (audio) \
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.
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Other Words from absorb

absorbability \ əb-​ˌsȯr-​bə-​ˈbi-​lə-​tē How to pronounce absorbability (audio) , -​ˌzȯr-​ \ noun
absorbable \ əb-​ˈsȯr-​bə-​bəl How to pronounce absorbable (audio) , -​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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Baking soda can lose its ability to leaven in as little as six months, at which point it should be removed from service and relegated to cleaning and fridge odor-absorbing duty. — Jesse Sparks, Bon Appétit, "9 Pantry Staples You Probably Need to Replace," 3 Sep. 2019 Yes, the rich are different from you and me; does that mean they’re evil, or just monumentally self-absorbed? — Joey Nolfi, EW.com, "From Midsommar's director's cut to Don't Let Go, 13 movies to see this Labor Day weekend," 30 Aug. 2019 The scientists' water harvester can pull more than five cups of water from low humidity air per day per 2.2 pounds of water-absorbing materials. — Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, "How This Harvester Literally Makes Water Out of Thin Air," 29 Aug. 2019 The fast-absorbing Vitamin C serum brightens skin and diminishes texture. — Kaitlyn Frey, PEOPLE.com, "The Beauty Products Khloé Kardashian Uses in Her Current Skincare Lineup," 27 Aug. 2019 Evidently, this did not sit well with many UF followers who presumably believe Franks needs to be more mature and less self-absorbed after scoring touchdowns. — Mike Bianchi, orlandosentinel.com, "UF fans are too critical of Gators QB Feleipe Franks | Commentary," 24 Aug. 2019 At the other, 30 miles away, University of Colorado-Denver engineers are reinventing the helmet using a shock-absorbing, rubber-like substance known as liquid crystal elastomer (LCE). — Jon Wilner, The Denver Post, "Head trauma research: Colorado projects (funded by the Pac-12) aim to reduce, and understand, concussions," 15 Aug. 2019 Consisting of ceramides and rose hip oil, this non-greasy, fast-absorbing eye cream works to restore the skin's natural moisture content in a noninvasive way. — Nikhita Mahtani, CNN Underscored, "Want to fight dark circles? Look for these ingredients in your next eye cream," 10 Aug. 2019 The presence of a grandchild might nudge them toward a different focus, but again -- people who are completely self-absorbed tend to dive into their self-regard, regardless of the audience. — Amy Dickinson, chicagotribune.com, "Ask Amy: In-laws are too self-focused to notice pregnancy," 4 Aug. 2019

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.

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First Known Use of absorb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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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More Definitions for absorb

absorb

verb
ab·​sorb | \ əb-ˈsȯrb How to pronounce absorb (audio) , -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 How to pronounce absorb (audio) , -ˈzȯ(ə)rb How to pronounce absorb (audio) \

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

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