absorbed; absorbing; absorbs
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
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
b
: to transform (radiant energy) into a different form especially with a resulting rise in temperature
The earth absorbs the sun's rays.
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
When chytrid fungus colonizes the skin, electrolytes can’t get absorbed.
—
Martin J. Kernan, Discover Magazine, 16 Nov. 2024
The four straightforward and thoughtfully built cubes not only absorbed all of our clothes and toiletries volume-wise, but were water resistant enough to keep wet bathing suits and stinky running socks.
—Joe Jackson, Outside Online, 14 Nov. 2024
Forests here can absorb more carbon per acre than almost any other on the planet.
—April Ehrlich, ProPublica, 12 Nov. 2024
Conditions associated with high ferritin levels include: Hemochromatosis: With this condition, the body absorbs and stores too much iron, leading to iron buildup in organs such as the liver, pancreas, and heart.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for absorb 
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Martin J. Kernan, Discover Magazine, 16 Nov. 2024
The four straightforward and thoughtfully built cubes not only absorbed all of our clothes and toiletries volume-wise, but were water resistant enough to keep wet bathing suits and stinky running socks.
—Joe Jackson, Outside Online, 14 Nov. 2024
Forests here can absorb more carbon per acre than almost any other on the planet.
—April Ehrlich, ProPublica, 12 Nov. 2024
Conditions associated with high ferritin levels include: Hemochromatosis: With this condition, the body absorbs and stores too much iron, leading to iron buildup in organs such as the liver, pancreas, and heart.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for absorb
Articles Related to absorb
Dictionary Entries Near absorb
Cite this Entry
“Absorb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absorb. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
1
: to take in or suck or swallow up
a sponge absorbs water
plant roots absorb water
2
: to hold the interest of : engross
absorbed in thought
3
a
: to receive without giving back
a sound-absorbing surface
b
: to transform (radiant energy) into a different form usually with a resulting rise in temperature
the earth absorbs the sun's rays
absorber
noun
Medical Definition
absorb
transitive verb
ab·sorb
əb-ˈsȯ(ə)rb 
-ˈzȯ(ə)rb
-ˈzȯ(ə)rb
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
absorber
noun
Legal Definition
absorb
transitive verb
ab·sorb
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
D. Q. PosinLove words? Need even more definitions?
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