n. [ L. absorptio, fr. absorbere. See Absorb. ] 1. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. (Chem. & Physics) An imbibing or reception by molecular or chemical action; as, the absorption of light, heat, electricity, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. (Physiol.) In living organisms, the process by which the materials of growth and nutrition are absorbed and conveyed to the tissues and organs. [ 1913 Webster ]
4. Entire engrossment or occupation of the mind; as, absorption in some employment. [ 1913 Webster ]
(n) (physics) the process in which incident radiated energy is retained without reflection or transmission on passing through a medium, Example:the absorption of photons by atoms or molecules
(n) a measure of the rate of decrease in the intensity of electromagnetic radiation (as light) as it passes through a given substance; the fraction of incident radiant energy absorbed per unit mass or thickness of an absorber, Syn. absorptance, coefficient of absorption, Example:absorptance equals 1 minus transmittance