# absorption

/əbˈsɔɹpʃən/ (US) · /ɐbsˈɔːpʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/absorption
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. soaking up a substance

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

the process of taking in a liquid, gas, or other substance.

For teachers: the process by which one substance, such as a solid or liquid, takes up another, such as a gas or liquid, throughout its bulk.

- The paper towel has a high rate of absorption for spills.
- The rate of nutrient absorption in the small intestine is critical for maintaining overall metabolic health.

Usage: Often followed by the preposition 'of'.

### 2. taking in energy

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

the way a surface or material takes in energy like light, heat, or sound.

For teachers: the process by which the energy of a photon or sound wave is taken up by matter, typically being transformed into internal energy.

- Darker colours increase the absorption of heat from the sun.
- The acoustic panels were designed specifically for the absorption of low-frequency sound waves to prevent echoes in the recording studio.

### 3. mental focus

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the state of being so interested in something that you do not notice anything else.

For teachers: the state of being completely engrossed or occupied by a thought or activity.

- Her total absorption in the book meant she didn't hear the doorbell.
- His complete absorption in the research project led him to neglect his social obligations for several months.

Teaching tip: This sense is formal; in everyday conversation, learners might prefer 'lost in' or 'focused on'.

### 4. incorporating into a group

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

the process of a smaller group or company becoming part of a larger one.

For teachers: the process of incorporating or integrating a smaller entity into a larger one.

- The absorption of the small firm into the global corporation took two years.
- The successful absorption of the immigrant population into the local workforce required significant policy changes and community support.

## Examples

- The paper towel has a high rate of water absorption.
- The skin's absorption of the medicine is much faster when the cream is applied to warm skin.
- Her total absorption in the novel meant she didn't hear the doorbell ring, illustrating how a compelling narrative can effectively isolate a reader from their immediate environment.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.