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absorb

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verb [transitive] British English pronunciation: absorb /əbˈzɔː(r)b/ 
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theyabsorb
he/she/itabsorbs
present participleabsorbing
past tenseabsorbed
past participleabsorbed
 
  1. 1
    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.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  absorbThesaurus entry for this meaning of absorb
    1. a.
      [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.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  absorbThesaurus entry for this meaning of absorb
  2. 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.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  absorbThesaurus entry for this meaning of absorb
  3. 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.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  absorbThesaurus entry for this meaning of absorb
  6. 6
    to reduce the harmful effects of a physical force

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

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  absorbThesaurus entry for this meaning of absorb
    1. a.
      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.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  absorbThesaurus entry for this meaning of absorb
  7. 7
    to use or need a lot of something, especially money

    Agricultural subsidies absorb about half the EU’s income.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  absorbThesaurus entry for this meaning of absorb

This is the British English definition of absorb. View American English definition of absorb.

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