absorbent

adjective

ab·​sor·​bent əb-ˈsȯr-bənt How to pronounce absorbent (audio)
-ˈzȯr-
variants or less commonly absorbant
: able to absorb
as absorbent as a sponge
absorbent noun
or less commonly absorbant

Examples of absorbent in a Sentence

highly absorbent material that is really good for wiping off automobiles
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.
Shoppers note that the rug is thick, absorbent, and soft to the touch. Maggie Horton, People.com, 15 Dec. 2024 Dry the Garment Lay the garment flat on a thick, absorbent towel and roll it up to remove the extra water. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 7 Dec. 2024 Made of 100 percent long-staple Turkish cotton, the bath towels are durable and super absorbent, yet still smooth and soft. Lauren Taylor, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Nov. 2024 But decades of sprawling urbanization also drove up Houston’s risk of flooding as absorbent wetlands were paved over and more homes were built in flood zones. Mira Rojanasakul, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for absorbent 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin absorbent-, absorbens, present participle of absorbēre "to absorb"

First Known Use

1694, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of absorbent was in 1694

Dictionary Entries Near absorbent

Cite this Entry

“Absorbent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absorbent. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

absorbent

adjective
ab·​sor·​bent əb-ˈsȯr-bənt How to pronounce absorbent (audio)
-ˈzȯr-
: able to absorb
as absorbent as a sponge
absorbency
əb-ˈsȯr-bən-sē
-ˈzȯr-
noun
absorbent noun

Medical Definition

absorbent

adjective
ab·​sor·​bent
variants also absorbant
: able to absorb
absorbent gauze
absorbent noun
also absorbant

More from Merriam-Webster on absorbent

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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