ab·sorb 
/əbˈsoɚb/ verb
ab·sorbs; ab·sorbed; ab·sorb·ing /əbˈsoɚb/ verb [+ obj] 1 a : to take in (something, such as a liquid) in a natural or gradual way
▪ A sponge absorbs water. ▪ Plant roots absorb moisture. ▪ a fabric that absorbs sweat — often used as (be) absorbed ▪ Water is absorbed by plants through their roots. ▪ nutrients that are absorbed into the body
b : to draw in (heat, light, energy, etc.)
▪ The walls are made of a material that absorbs sound. ▪ absorbing heat from the sun 2 a : to learn (something)
▪ She is good at absorbing information/knowledge. ▪ He has retained the values that he absorbed as a young man.
b : to take in and make (something) part of a larger group, country, etc.
▪ a country that has absorbed many immigrants ▪ smaller countries invaded and absorbed by/into bigger ones 3 : to take up the whole interest or attention of (someone)
▪ His interest in photography absorbs him completely. ▪ I was so absorbed by her story that I lost track of time. ◊If you are absorbed in something, you are fully involved in it.
▪ She was (completely) absorbed in [=lost in] thought. ▪ He quickly found himself absorbed in [=engrossed by] the movie. 4 : to prevent (something harmful or unwanted) from passing through
▪ The frame of the car absorbed the impact. 5 a : to accept or deal with (something that is difficult, harmful, etc.)
▪ The company has had to absorb many setbacks in the past year. ▪ The expenses were absorbed [=borne] by his family.
b : to use up (something)
▪ His work absorbs almost all of his time.
▪ A sponge absorbs water. ▪ Plant roots absorb moisture. ▪ a fabric that absorbs sweat — often used as (be) absorbed ▪ Water is absorbed by plants through their roots. ▪ nutrients that are absorbed into the body
b : to draw in (heat, light, energy, etc.)
▪ The walls are made of a material that absorbs sound. ▪ absorbing heat from the sun
▪ She is good at absorbing information/knowledge. ▪ He has retained the values that he absorbed as a young man.
b : to take in and make (something) part of a larger group, country, etc.
▪ a country that has absorbed many immigrants ▪ smaller countries invaded and absorbed by/into bigger ones
▪ His interest in photography absorbs him completely. ▪ I was so absorbed by her story that I lost track of time. ◊If you are absorbed in something, you are fully involved in it.
▪ She was (completely) absorbed in [=lost in] thought. ▪ He quickly found himself absorbed in [=engrossed by] the movie.
▪ The frame of the car absorbed the impact.
▪ The company has had to absorb many setbacks in the past year. ▪ The expenses were absorbed [=borne] by his family.
b : to use up (something)
▪ His work absorbs almost all of his time.
— ab·sorb·able /əbˈsoɚbəbəl/ adjective [more absorbable; most absorbable]
▪ nutrients absorbable by the body
/əbˈsoɚbəbəl/ adjective [more absorbable; most absorbable] ▪ nutrients absorbable by the body
— absorbing adjective [more absorbing; most absorbing]
▪ The book includes an absorbing [=engrossing, fascinating] account of her childhood.
▪ The book includes an absorbing [=engrossing, fascinating] account of her childhood.
— ab·sorp·tion /əbˈsoɚpʃən/ noun [noncount]
▪ the absorption of water by a sponge ▪ the absorption of nutrients by the body ▪ heat/noise absorption ▪ His absorption in his work was total. [=he was totally absorbed in his work; he gave all his attention to his work]
/əbˈsoɚpʃən/ noun [noncount] ▪ the absorption of water by a sponge ▪ the absorption of nutrients by the body ▪ heat/noise absorption ▪ His absorption in his work was total. [=he was totally absorbed in his work; he gave all his attention to his work]
