absorption

[ ab-sawrp-shuhn, -zawrp- ]

noun

1. the act of absorbing.
2. the state or process of being absorbed. absorbed.
3. assimilation; incorporation:

   the absorption of small farms into one big one.

4. uptake of substances by a tissue, as of nutrients through the wall of the intestine.
5. a taking in or reception by molecular or chemical action, as of gases or liquids.
6. Physics. the removal of energy or particles from a beam by the medium through which the beam propagates.
7. complete attention or preoccupation; deep engrossment:

   absorption in one's work.

absorption

/ əbˈsɔːpʃən; -ˈzɔːp- /

noun

1. the process of absorbing or the state of being absorbed
2. physiol
   1. normal assimilation by the tissues of the products of digestion
   2. the passage of a gas, fluid, drug, etc, through the mucous membranes or skin
3. physics a reduction of the intensity of any form of radiated energy as a result of energy conversion in a medium, such as the conversion of sound energy into heat
4. immunol the process of removing superfluous antibodies or antigens from a mixture using a reagent

absorption

/ əb-sôrp′shən /

1. Biology.
   The movement of a substance, such as a liquid or solute, across a cell membrane by means of diffusion or osmosis.
2. Chemistry.
   The process by which one substance, such as a solid or liquid, takes up another substance, such as a liquid or gas, through minute pores or spaces between its molecules. A paper towel takes up water, and water takes up carbon dioxide, by absorption.
3. Chemistry.
   Compare adsorption
4. Physics.
   The taking up and storing of energy, such as radiation, light, or sound, without it being reflected or transmitted. During absorption, the energy may change from one form into another. When radiation strikes the electrons in an atom, the electrons move to a higher orbit or state of excitement by absorption of the radiation's energy.

Derived Forms

• abˈsorptive, adjective

Other Words From

• hyper·ab·sorption noun
• inter·ab·sorption noun
• nonab·sorption noun
• over·ab·sorption noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of absorption¹

1590–1600; < Latin absorptiōn- (stem of absorptiō ), equivalent to absorpt ( us ), past participle of absorbēre to absorb + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of absorption¹

C16: from Latin absorptiōn-, from absorbēre to absorb

Example Sentences

As the Arctic warms at a faster rate than the rest of the planet, Earth’s overall surface becomes less reflective and thereby increases the absorption of solar radiation.

From Salon

"We were surprised by how fast the nasal spray worked and by how variable the absorption of the oral drug was even in healthy subjects," Bensimhon said.

From Science Daily

Firstly, water vapor interferes and overlaps with the absorption spectra of many gases in the standard infrared ranges normally used for detection.

From Science Daily

When Salmonella enters the small intestine, it causes inflammation in the gut lining and disrupts the normal absorption of amino acids from food.

From Science Daily

I remained at a skeptical remove, but I appreciated the absorption of my fellow audience members, who were more than happy to suspend disbelief and hop on an 80-minute-dramatic thrill ride.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• consumption
• digestion
• intake
• penetration
• retention
• saturation