absorb */*/

UK [əbˈzɔː(r)b] / US [əbˈsɔrb] / US [əbˈzɔrb] verb [transitive]
Word forms "absorb":
present tense I/you/we/they absorb he/she/it absorbs present participle absorbing past tense absorbed past participle absorbed

1)

a) to take in a gas, liquid, or other substance

The timber expands as it absorbs moisture.

absorb something into something:

Caffeine is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream.

b) [often passive] to take in heat, light, or some other form of energy, instead of reflecting it

The planes are fitted with a device that absorbs enemy radar signals.

2) [often passive] to make a small group, organization etc become part of a larger one

Most of the refugees were absorbed by the growing service sector.

absorb something into something:

Since the end of the war, France had endeavoured to absorb the Saar region into their country.

be absorbed into something:

After the war, the whole region was absorbed into the Roman Empire.

3) to allow ideas, methods etc to become part of your own way of thinking or culture

Over the centuries, they gradually absorbed Islamic ideas about design and architecture.

His music has absorbed influences from all over the world.

4) to learn and understand new facts, so that they become part of your knowledge

We had to absorb a lot of new information very quickly.

5) if something absorbs you, it is so interesting or entertaining that it takes all your attention

a game that had absorbed the children all afternoon

6)

a) to reduce the harmful effects of a physical force

Jump with your knees bent, so they absorb less impact.

b) to deal with the harmful effects of a change, so that problems are avoided

Oil companies say they will absorb these price rises, and not pass them on to customers.

7) to use or need a lot of something, especially money

Agricultural subsidies absorb about half the EU's income.