adsorb

verb

ad·​sorb ad-ˈsȯrb How to pronounce adsorb (audio) -ˈzȯrb How to pronounce adsorb (audio)
adsorbed; adsorbing; adsorbs

transitive verb

: to take up and hold by adsorption

intransitive verb

: to become adsorbed
adsorbable
ad-ˈsȯr-bə-bəl How to pronounce adsorb (audio)
-ˈzȯr-
adjective
adsorber
ad-ˈsȯr-bər How to pronounce adsorb (audio)
-ˈzȯr-
noun

Examples of adsorb in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Nitrate dissolves easily in water and does not adsorb onto the soil. — Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 9 Oct. 2025 The surface is then dosed with phosphine gas, which adsorbs to the surface only in places where the silicon is exposed. — IEEE Spectrum, 4 Feb. 2026 Finely ground leaves, especially those of black tea, adsorbed more contaminants than whole leaves. — Kristen Rogers, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025 Also impactful was the teas’ steeping time, with teas that were brewed for a longer amount of time adsorbing more metal ions than teas that were brewed for a shorter amount of time. — Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for adsorb

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from adsorption

First Known Use

1809, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of adsorb was in 1809

Rhymes for adsorb

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Browse Nearby Words

adsmith
adsorb
adsorbability
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Cite this Entry

“Adsorb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adsorb. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

adsorb

verb
ad·​sorb ad-ˈsȯrb How to pronounce adsorb (audio) -ˈzȯrb How to pronounce adsorb (audio)
: to take up and hold or to become taken up by adsorption

Medical Definition

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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