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absorption

noun

1. (general) the act or process of absorbing or assimilating

2. (physics) the act or process of retaining light energy without reflection or transmission upon passing through a medium, as in the absorption of light by atoms

3. (chemistry) the process in which a substance permeates another, as in a liquid permeating, or absorbed by, a solid

3. (biology) the process of absorbing or assimilating substances into cells or across the tissues and organs through diffusion or osmosis, as in absorption of nutrients by the digestive system, or absorption of drugs into the bloodstream

4. (psychology) complete attention, engrossment or concentration to an object or activity

Word origin: from Latin absorptio, from absorbere

Compare: adsorption.