This means taking in something like water or light. For example, a towel takes water inside it. This is a common everyday use of absorb.
The towel can absorb a lot of water.
Plants absorb sunlight to grow.
Here, absorb means to learn or understand information well. People take in new facts or ideas and remember them.
She quickly absorbed the new lesson.
Children absorb languages easily.
In this meaning, absorb means to take in energy or sound and make it less strong. For example, special materials reduce noise or shock.
The walls absorb sound to keep rooms quiet.
The shoes absorb shock when you run.
Here, absorb means to take in or use resources, money, or time completely so nothing remains free. For example, a business may cover all expenses.
The company absorbed all the extra costs.
He absorbed the whole meal quickly.
In this meaning, absorb means to join or take in a smaller group into a bigger one. It can refer to towns, companies, or teams joining together.
The small town was absorbed into the big city.
The company absorbed its rival last year.
Here absorb means the body or plants take in nutrients or food substances. This happens inside the body or soil to help grow and stay healthy.
The body absorbs vitamins from food.
Plants absorb nutrients through roots.
