/ əbˈsɔːb; -ˈzɔːb; NAmE -ˈsɔːrb; -ˈzɔːrb/ verb
[ vn ]
LIQUID / GAS
1.
to take in a liquid, gas or other substance from the surface or space around :
Plants absorb oxygen.
The cream is easily absorbed into the skin.
MAKE PART OF STH LARGER
2.
[ often passive ] to make sth smaller become part of sth larger :
The surrounding small towns have been absorbed into the city.
The country simply cannot absorb this influx of refugees.
INFORMATION
3.
to take sth into the mind and learn or understand it
SYN take in :
It's a lot of information to absorb all at once.
INTEREST SB
4.
to interest sb very much so that they pay no attention to anything else
SYN engross :
This work had absorbed him for several years.
HEAT / LIGHT / ENERGY
5.
to take in and keep heat, light, energy, etc. instead of reflecting it :
Black walls absorb a lot of heat during the day.
SHOCK / IMPACT
6.
to reduce the effect of a blow, hit, etc. :
This tennis racket absorbs shock on impact.
—see also shock absorber
MONEY / TIME / CHANGES
7.
to use up a large supply of sth, especially money or time :
The new proposals would absorb $80 billion of the federal budget.
8.
to deal with changes, effects, costs, etc. :
The company is unable to absorb such huge losses.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Latin absorbere , from ab- from + sorbere suck in.