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
adsorbable 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.
Out of all the experiments, steeping time made the most difference in tea leaves’ ability to adsorb metal ions. Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 27 Feb. 2025 The team found that cellulose tea bags work the best at adsorbing toxic metals from the water while cotton and nylon tea bags barely adsorbed any contaminants at all—and nylon bags also release contaminating microplastics to boot. Ars Technica, 25 Feb. 2025 As is the case with the tea leaves themselves, the cellulose fibers boast a large active surface area, allowing the bags to adsorb a significant quantity of heavy metal ions. Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 1 Mar. 2025 The longer the steeping time, the more contaminants were adsorbed. Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 27 Feb. 2025 Cellulose bags performed the best, while cotton and nylon bags barely adsorbed any of the metals. Kristen Rogers, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025 The study also noted that the longer the steeping time, the more contaminants were adsorbed. Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 26 Feb. 2025 The researchers revealed that black teas adsorbed more heavy metals than non-black teas. Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 25 Feb. 2025 The team then measured how much of the toxic metals remained in the water and how much the leaves had adsorbed. Ars Technica, 25 Feb. 2025

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

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Cite this Entry

“Adsorb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adsorb. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

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

adsorb

transitive verb
: to take up and hold by adsorption
adsorbability noun
plural adsorbabilities
adsorbable adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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