to suck up or drink in (a liquid); soak up

A sponge absorbs water.

to swallow up the identity or individuality of; incorporate

The empire absorbed many small nations.

to involve the full attention of; to engross or engage wholly

so absorbed in a book that he did not hear the bell.

to occupy or fill

This job absorbs all of my time.

to take up or receive by chemical or molecular action

Carbonic acid is formed when water absorbs carbon dioxide.

to take in without echo, recoil, or reflection

to absorb sound and light; to absorb shock.

to take in and utilize

The market absorbed all the computers we could build. Can your brain absorb all this information?

to pay for (costs, taxes, etc.)

The company will absorb all the research costs.

Archaic . to swallow up.