1Take in or soak up (energy or a liquid or other substance) by chemical or physical action.

建筑物可被设计来吸收和保留热量。

类固醇被吸收入血液。

1. 1.1 Take in and understand fully (information, ideas, or experience)
   接受，吸收（信息，思想，经验）
   she absorbed the information in silence

   她默默地接受了这一消息。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • He is a bright young man who absorbs information and experiences like a sponge.
   • It seems inevitable, with hindsight, that this accelerating urge to know, to understand, to absorb facts, would lead to the establishment of a major organisation.
   • Whether they realise it or not, they actually absorb ideas, moods, opinions and even goals from those around them.
   • One can always absorb the ideas and relevant theory and then update the information later.
   • The very best students in our classes probably do absorb key ideas and concepts from lectures.
   • You must have the ability to persuade and inspire our friends to communicate and convince, to listen, to absorb the ideas of others.
   • The most decisive factor in how we absorb information, process it and assimilate it is mostly forgotten: the physiology of the human eye.
   • Children learn by absorbing information through daily interactions and experiences with other children, adults, and the world.
   • Again everything is interactive so that the visitor absorbs information while having fun.
   • You know how hard it is to absorb information when you're tired.
   • Still, the law has yet to fully catch up with that position, or even fully incorporate and absorb the evidence on which it was based.
   • Analysts must fully absorb cultural information, an area in which the intelligence community rarely excels.
   • These experiences have made them more comfortable with absorbing new ideas and practices, including those introduced by foreigners.
   • School children absorbed information much quicker than adults and the success of the project was very much dependent on this.
   • There are limits to a toddler's abilities to absorb new experiences, he says.
   • Michael understood that he would never fully absorb the French experience if language were a barrier.
   • To a certain extent, all through life we absorb information we understand, or about which we care, and filter the rest.
   • Students will be assessed to find out what system of teaching suits them best. While some learn best from books, others find it easier to absorb information from discussion groups.
   • There was a momentary pause as this information was absorbed.
   • Whether we argue for it or against it, we have absorbed the idea.

   Synonyms

   assimilate, digest, ingest, take in, imbibe, drink in, familiarize oneself with

   comprehend, grasp, learn, understand, master
2. 1.2 Take control of (a smaller or less powerful entity) and make it a part of a larger one.
   吞并；将…合并
   the family firm was absorbed into a larger group

   此家族公司为一个更大的集团所吞并。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • In later years, CN took over the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway and other small enterprises such as the Newfoundland Railway and absorbed it into the company.
   • The poor southern state, often beset by its own natural disasters, had beds, meals and an emergency plan that helped it absorb a 2.5 percent jump in its population.
   • The command is not expected to encounter problems absorbing the missiles from the army's missile control as the missiles have been under a unified system of control for many years.
   • The harsh and simple answer to why Scotland voted to be absorbed in 1707 is because it was bankrupt, stony broke.
   • There may be more consolidation to come, which might even see some of the smaller players absorbed into their larger rivals.
   • Would one authority cover the enlarged area, or would there be a tug of war between the existing parks over who would absorb the added area?
   • But Sir John's mantra is worth revisiting at a time when another of Scotland's institutions is absorbed into a larger entity.
   • The 14th duke wanted a house that was big enough to absorb the world-famous Hamilton Palace collection but that was small enough for a family home.
   • Clearly the Fed feels that growth in the economy can continue for some time before the slack in terms of labour resources is absorbed.
   • On Friday, the heads of the two banks announced they had agreed to merge their banks by forming a new entity that will absorb the two banks by June next year.
   • Bosses said that it could absorb the 14 per cent of mail transported by train on the roads without extra journeys.
   • The new town development also had to absorb an overwhelmingly large number of refugees from very different areas of the German East and Southeast.
   • The biggest difference is that over the past two decades the United States has absorbed roughly 20 million immigrants.
   • He said the slate would consist of candidates who were not willing to sell out the UNC to become absorbed into some other political entity.
   • Once the minor powers have been absorbed in any fairly typical way, the great powers will tend to border one another in twelve pairs.
   • Does this help explain current concerns such as England's reluctance to be absorbed in the European Union?
   • Second, there is a debate over whether Australia can absorb large numbers of people.
   • Royal Mail insists that it could absorb the 14 per cent of mail transported by train on the roads without extra journeys.

   Synonyms

   incorporate, assimilate, integrate, appropriate, take in, subsume, include, co-opt, swallow up
3. 1.3 Use or take up (time or resources)
   占用（时间，资源）
   arms spending absorbs roughly two per cent of the national income

   军备开支约占了国民收入的2%。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • The whole idea is that nature needs a method for rapidly ridding itself of dysfunctional species that overpopulate and absorb resources too rapidly.
   • Since the US absorbs about 35 percent of the world's exports, Taiwanese manufacturers should invest in Africa and re-export products to the US, Day said.
   • The region absorbs 18 percent of US exports and accounts for about 21 percent of US companies' overseas investments.
   • The United States economy now absorbs 70 per cent of the world's savings, amounting to more than $400 billion annually in the past two years.
   • This absorbs the human resource of the police and reduces their ability to strangulate the supply route.
   • Too often, remedial actions tend to absorb resources to the detriment of preventive measures.
   • The report says that these demands are absorbing resources, thereby reducing funds for community services that could help to contain rising hospital admissions.
   • China is among the fastest growing economies in the world, with considerable capacity to absorb surplus labor.
   • It encountered losses from industrial action, strikes and absorbed a lot of resources.
   • Foster has spent seventeen years working on his life of Yeats and has absorbed the store of sources.
   • For example, the US today absorbs 10 per cent of the world's total savings to pay for its enormous consumption, yet a country like South Africa experiences capital flight.
   • Modern warfare must be economically damaging, even for victors, since it absorbs scarce, productive resources - the opportunity cost.
   • Will these be paid a hefty consultation fee, which will absorb the contentious surplus which started the kerfuffle?
   • Too many, really; marine archaeology is a small world and any one of these wrecks could completely absorb the country's resources and expertise over several diving seasons.
   • Parasitic plants may affect host fitness by absorbing resources that are essential for host growth and reproduction.
   • However, success in this area will take a long time and absorb substantial resources.
   • The home market is expected to absorb around 25 per cent of the total expected output of four million lambs this year.
   • By 1788, debt service alone would absorb fifty percent of annual revenue.
   • Resources had been absorbed by the war effort, with the result that both equipment and infrastructure were in a grievous state.
   • The actions of a few uncontrolled patients rebound on the rest of us, absorbing scarce resources and driving staff from the NHS.

   Synonyms

   use (up), consume, take up, occupy

   waste, squander, go through, deplete, drain, exhaust, swallow up
4. 1.4 Take up and reduce the effect or intensity of (sound or an impact)
   吸收，消减（声音，冲击）
   deep-pile carpets absorbed all sound of the outside world

   长毛绒地毯吸收了外界的一切声音。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • These soft surfaces also absorb sound and give a feeling of privileged privacy.
   • It is easy to install and secure because of its weight Also, many types absorb sound and thereby add to the sound control of the room.
   • I had Doc's rifle held waist high rather than at my shoulder, which meant the kick back punched my arm out and behind and made the shot fly high, rather than being absorbed and controlled by my body.
   • Its configuration helps absorb some impact in order to reduce injury to a pedestrian who is hit.
   • In an open office, its acoustic function is to absorb sound and reduce the reflection of sounds back down into the office space.
   • The polyurethane material also adds support and cushioning to help absorb impact.
   • The carpets absorbed the sound of his feet landing on the floor, but Lombard stood still all the same to make certain that the Ifrit still slept.
   • With residue, the raindrop impact is absorbed and erosion is reduced.
   • It absorbs bumps in the road and reduces impact harshness, resulting in improved ride quality.
   • Larger entities can absorb this type of cost better, because they are spread over a much wider range of companies.
   • Not only will it absorb the impact of feet and noise, it will reduce wear and tear on the rug and make vacuuming easier.
   • That way, your joints are better prepared to absorb impacts from a variety of angles.
   • Outside, the traffic hurtles by but the vast number of shrubs and trees lining the courtyard absorb the sound and look spectacular in their autumnal foliage.
   • Not only does this serve to strengthen the car in a crash, but it also allows the car to absorb heavy impacts in jumps and fast driving over rough terrain.
   • The bubble simply absorbed her most powerful attack as it began to glow with a whitish yellow light.
   • For instance, ceiling tiles that absorb sounds and reduce noise levels can cost about the same as materials that are less sound-absorbent.
   • The ride has a Germanic firmness about it, but passenger comfort is always well controlled, the suspension absorbing poor road surfaces in an effective way.
   • They are also advised to invest in a good pair of shoes that are built for absorbing the impact of road running.
   • The faster taper rod takes on an alarming shape while the through-action rod absorbs the lunges of the fish and maintains the anglers control.
   • That is a matter of deliberate engineering, presumably, as the passenger seats are protected and the impact is absorbed elsewhere in the car.

   Synonyms

   deaden, soften, cushion

   reduce, decrease, lessen

   soak up

2often be absorbed inTake up the attention of (someone); interest greatly.

工作吸引了他的注意力并一如既往地让他乐在其中。