The act or process of absorbing or sucking in anything, or of being absorbed and made to disappear; as, the absorption of bodies in a whirlpool, the absorption of a smaller tribe into a larger.

An imbibing or reception by molecular or chemical action; as, the absorption of light, heat, electricity, etc.

In living organisms, the process by which the materials of growth and nutrition are absorbed and conveyed to the tissues and organs.

The process by which energy in a radio wave passing through the ionosphere is converted to heat through electron collisions with other particles. For applications using frequencies above the VLF range, absorption predominately occurs in the D region. The amount of absorbed energy is normally expressed as a ratio of the expected level to the measured level, and is given in decibels (dB).

The weakening of radio wave strength by losses in various materials.

The increase in quantity (transfer) of one material into another or of material from one phase into another phase.

The penetration of ink into the surface of the paper stock by capillary attraction between the ink vehicle and paper fibres or coating.

the integration of one material into another.

That part of attenuation in optical fibers that is caused by the transformation of optical energy into heat. Expressed in dB/km.

(1) The amount of moisture a given substance will assimilate and retain. An important property consideration in the selection of insulating materials. (2) Loss of power in an optical fiber, resulting from conversion of optical power into heat and caused principally by impurities, such as transition metals and hydroxyl ions, and also by exposure to nuclear radiation.

A physical mechanism in fibers that attenuates light by converting it into heat—thereby raising the fiber’s temperature. In practice the temperature increase is slight and difficult to measure. Absorption arises from tails of the ultraviolet and infrared absorption bands, from impurities such as the OH - ion, and from defects in the glass structure.

In chemistry absorption can mean two things: Firstly it can imply that powerful forces exist holding two substances together, and that seperation of the two is not easily accomplished. Secondly it can mean absorption of heat, light etc.. . The absorption of ultraviolet, visible and infrared radiation is the basis of some forms of spectrometry which can be used to identify different chemical compounds. See also infrared radiation.

A term used by real estate lenders and developers to describe the process of renting up newly built or renovated office space or apartments. The term "absorption period" is often used to describe the period of time necessary for absorption.

The process by which a herbicide passes from one system into another, e.g., from the soil solution into a plant root cell or from the leaf surface into the leaf cells.

the process of sucking up; taking in and making part of an existing whole. Compare adsorption.

The entrance of water into the soil or rocks by all natural processes. It includes the infiltration of precipitation or snowmelt. Area-weighted rainfall. Method of converting point rainfall data into an average value for a certain area or basin.

The dispersal of visible light as it interacts with matter, decreasing its transmission. The end result is a modification of the material's color.

The luminous flux is partly filtered. Not the whole spectrum of light will be reflected, but the part of the spectrum which is not included in the colour of the surface.

The conversion of visible light into a different form of energy as it interacts with matter, decreasing the amount of light transmitted or reflected. The result is a modification of the matters color.

The dispersal and decreased transmission of visible light in its interaction with matter, resulting in the change of its color.

Net change in physically occupied space over a given period of time.

is the net change in occupied space from one period to the next, expressed in square feet.

(Change in Occupied Units) – The number of occupied units (or beds) in the MSA in the current quarter relative to the number of units (or beds) that were occupied in a previous period. A positive number signifies an increase and a negative number signifies a decrease in the number of units (or beds) that are occupied.

The amount of inventory or units of a specific commercial property type that became occupied during a specified time period (usually a year) in a given market, typically reported as the absorption rate.

Percentage of moisture absorption by weight after immersion in water.

The relationship of the weight of the water absorbed be a ceramic specimen subjected to prescribed immersion procedure, to the weight of the dry specimen, expressed in percent.

Weight of water incorporated by a concrete paver unit during immersion under prescribed conditions, typically expressed as a percentage relating to the dry weight of the unit.

The difference in the amount of water contained within a concrete masonry unit between saturated and oven-dry conditions, expressed as weight of water per cubic foot of concrete.

The charges of one carrier are being assumed by another without increase to the shipper.

One carrier assumes the charges of another without any increase in charges to the shipper.

The assumption of switching or other charges of one carrier by another carrier without increasing the rate to the shipper or receiver of freight.

The rate at which land or buildings will be sold or leased in the marketplace during a predetermined period of time, usually a month or a year. Also called “Market Absorption.

The rate, expressed as a percentage, at which available space in the marketplace is leased during a predetermined period of time. Also referred to as " Market Absorption".

The net change in space available for lease between two dates, typically expressed as a percentage of the total square footage.

The process through which something – such as alcohol – is taken into the user's body. The speed of absorption of alcohol is one of the major factors that determine how high the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) rises after drinking. Absorption of alcohol is slowed down when there is food in the stomach.

The amount of space that is leased and taken off the market during a given time frame.

Refers to the process by which a drug is taken in the body, metabolized and targeted to its sites of action.