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
There are a few reasons why timing matters when salting mashed potatoes:
Salt absorption: Potatoes absorb salt at different stages of the cooking process in different ways.
—
Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 24 Dec. 2024
Meanwhile, the music business marched forward, absorbing losses and deferring any hard decisions.
—Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
This gel works fast by utilizing its key blemish-reducing ingredient, which penetrates deep into your pores to clear them out and absorb excess oil—your breakouts won't even know what hit them.
—Deanna Pai, Allure, 23 Dec. 2024
After 24 hours, a specific type of digestive cell that produces mucus in the intestines had absorbed considerable amounts of micro and nanoplastics.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for absorb 
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Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 24 Dec. 2024
Meanwhile, the music business marched forward, absorbing losses and deferring any hard decisions.
—Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
This gel works fast by utilizing its key blemish-reducing ingredient, which penetrates deep into your pores to clear them out and absorb excess oil—your breakouts won't even know what hit them.
—Deanna Pai, Allure, 23 Dec. 2024
After 24 hours, a specific type of digestive cell that produces mucus in the intestines had absorbed considerable amounts of micro and nanoplastics.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for absorb
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Dictionary Entries Near absorb
Cite this Entry
“Absorb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absorb. Accessed 30 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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