WordWeb Online

1. (chemistry) a process in which one substance permeates another; a fluid permeates or is dissolved by a liquid or solid
   - soaking up
    
2. (physics) the process in which incident radiated energy is retained without reflection or transmission on passing through a medium
   "the absorption of photons by atoms or molecules"
    
3. The social process of absorbing one cultural group into harmony with another
   - assimilation
    
4. The process of absorbing nutrients into the body after digestion
   - assimilation
    
5. Complete attention; intense mental effort
   - concentration, engrossment, immersion
    
6. The mental state of being preoccupied by something
   - preoccupation, preoccupancy, engrossment

Derived forms: absorptions

Type of: action, activity, attention, biological process, cognitive state, natural action, natural process, organic process, social process, sorption, state of mind

Part of: extinction

Encyclopedia: Absorption