ABSORPTION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does absorption mean? 

• ABSORPTION (noun)
  The noun ABSORPTION has 6 senses:

1. (chemistry) a process in which one substance permeates another; a fluid permeates or is dissolved by a liquid or solid

2. (physics) the process in which incident radiated energy is retained without reflection or transmission on passing through a medium

3. the social process of absorbing one cultural group into harmony with another

4. the process of absorbing nutrients into the body after digestion

5. complete attention; intense mental effort

6. the mental state of being preoccupied by something

  Familiarity information: ABSORPTION used as a noun is common.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ABSORPTION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(chemistry) a process in which one substance permeates another; a fluid permeates or is dissolved by a liquid or solid

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural processes

Synonyms:

absorption; soaking up

Hypernyms ("absorption" is a kind of...):

sorption (the process in which one substance takes up or holds another (by either absorption or adsorption))

Domain category:

chemical science; chemistry (the science of matter; the branch of the natural sciences dealing with the composition of substances and their properties and reactions)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "absorption"):

imbibition ((chemistry) the absorption of a liquid by a solid or gel)

Derivation:

absorb (take in, also metaphorically)

absorb (become imbued)

Sense 2

Meaning:

(physics) the process in which incident radiated energy is retained without reflection or transmission on passing through a medium

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural processes

Context example:

the absorption of photons by atoms or molecules

Hypernyms ("absorption" is a kind of...):

action; activity; natural action; natural process (a process existing in or produced by nature (rather than by the intent of human beings))

Domain category:

natural philosophy; physics (the science of matter and energy and their interactions)

Holonyms ("absorption" is a part of...):

extinction (the reduction of the intensity of radiation as a consequence of absorption and radiation)

Derivation:

absorb (suck or take up or in)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The social process of absorbing one cultural group into harmony with another

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural processes

Synonyms:

absorption; assimilation

Hypernyms ("absorption" is a kind of...):

social process (a process involved in the formation of groups of persons)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "absorption"):

Americanisation; Americanization (assimilation into American culture)

Anglicisation; Anglicization (the act of anglicizing; making English in appearance)

Europeanisation; Europeanization (assimilation into European culture)

Westernisation; Westernization (assimilation of Western culture; the social process of becoming familiar with or converting to the customs and practices of Western civilization)

Derivation:

absorb (take up mentally)

Sense 4

Meaning:

The process of absorbing nutrients into the body after digestion

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural processes

Synonyms:

absorption; assimilation

Hypernyms ("absorption" is a kind of...):

biological process; organic process (a process occurring in living organisms)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "absorption"):

anabolism; constructive metabolism (the synthesis in living organisms of more complex substances (e.g., living tissue) from simpler ones together with the storage of energy)

malabsorption (abnormal absorption of nutrients from the digestive tract)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Complete attention; intense mental effort

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

absorption; concentration; engrossment; immersion

Hypernyms ("absorption" is a kind of...):

attention (the faculty or power of mental concentration)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "absorption"):

centering; direction; focal point; focus; focusing; focussing (the concentration of attention or energy on something)

specialism (the concentration of your efforts on a particular field of study or occupation)

study (a state of deep mental absorption)

Derivation:

absorb (devote (oneself) fully to)

Sense 6

Meaning:

The mental state of being preoccupied by something

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

absorption; engrossment; preoccupancy; preoccupation

Hypernyms ("absorption" is a kind of...):

cognitive state; state of mind (the state of a person's cognitive processes)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "absorption"):

abstractedness; abstraction (preoccupation with something to the exclusion of all else)

absentmindedness (preoccupation so great that the ordinary demands on attention are ignored)

Derivation:

absorb (consume all of one's attention or time)

 Context examples 

Cefditoren pivoxil is a prodrug that is rapidly hydrolyzed by intestinal esterases during absorption to the microbiologically active cefditoren, an active aminothiazolyl cephalosporin.

(Cefditoren Pivoxil, NCI Thesaurus)

The further classification of nonclinical studies performed e.g. absorption, distribution and metabolism.

(CDISC SEND Study Type Terminology, NCI Thesaurus/CDISC)

This release rate affects its intrinsic absorption pattern and therefore, the bioavailability of the drug.

(CDISC SDTM Pharmaceutical Dosage Form Terminology, NCI Thesaurus/CDISC)

Celiac disease damages the lining of the small intestine and interferes with the absorption of nutrients from food.

(Celiac Disease, NCI Dictionary)

Involved in many detoxifying processes, sulphur provided by methionine protects cells from pollutants, slows cell aging, and is essential for absorption and bio-availability of selenium and zinc.

(Methionine, NCI Thesaurus)

Upon absorption, paclitaxel binds to and stabilizes tubulin molecules, which results in the inhibition of both microtubule depolymerization and cell division.

(Mucoadhesive Paclitaxel Formulation, NCI Thesaurus)

These compounds are antioxidants and may alter the membrane structure of the liver cell, thereby blocking the absorption of toxins; they may also stimulate the production of new liver cells.

(Milk thistle, NCI Thesaurus)

Labeling with the radioactive tracer carbon C 14 allows for evaluation of ixazomib's absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME).

(Carbon C 14-labeled Ixazomib, NCI Thesaurus)

Telotristat radiolabeled with carbon C 14 facilitates the evaluation of the pharmacokinetic characteristics of this agent, including its absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME).

(Carbon C 14 Telotristat Etiprate, NCI Thesaurus)

Following systemic absorption of busulfan, carbonium ions are formed, resulting in DNA alkylation and DNA breaks and inhibition of DNA replication and RNA transcription.

(Busulfan, NCI Thesaurus)