absorption

The process of taking liquid or gas into a material through tiny openings.

• This towel allows fast water absorption.
• The coating prevents moisture absorption.
• We tested the absorption of gas by the material.

How to use it: absorption of something (The soil’s absorption of water was slow.)

Similar words: uptake

Common phrases: water absorption, moisture absorption, absorption rate

The state of giving all your attention to something, so you notice little else.

• His absorption in the book was complete.
• She noticed nothing in her absorption in work.
• Their total absorption in the game surprised me.

How to use it: absorption in something (Her absorption in the puzzle made her miss the announcement.)

Similar words: concentration, engrossment

Opposites: distraction

Common phrases: complete absorption, total absorption, absorption in something

The process in which matter takes in energy or particles, such as light, heat, or neutrons.

• Dark surfaces increase heat absorption.
• The experiment measured neutron absorption.
• Scientists compared the absorption spectra of two gases.

How to use it: absorption of something by something (We measured the absorption of light by the glass.)

Opposites: emission

Common phrases: light absorption, neutron absorption, absorption spectrum

The process by which food substances enter the body and reach its tissues and organs.

• Digestion prepares food for absorption.
• The study examined iron absorption in adults.
• This condition reduces the absorption of nutrients.

How to use it: absorption of something (The small intestine is important for the absorption of nutrients.)

Similar words: uptake

Common phrases: nutrient absorption, iron absorption, intestinal absorption