sorb

1 of 2

verb

ˈsȯrb

sorbed; sorbing; sorbs

transitive verb

: to take up and hold by either adsorption or absorption

sorbability

ˌsȯr-bə-ˈbi-lə-tē

noun

sorbable

ˈsȯr-bə-bəl

adjective

Sorb

2 of 2

noun

ˈsȯrb

: wend

: wendish

Sorbian

ˈsȯr-bē-ən

adjective or noun

Word History

Etymology

Verb

back-formation from absorb & adsorb

Noun

German Sorbe, from Sorbian serbje

First Known Use

Verb

1909, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1843, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of sorb was in 1843

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

sorance

sorb

Sorb

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Sorb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sorb. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

Copy Citation

Medical Definition

sorb

transitive verb

ˈsȯrb

: to take up and hold by either adsorption or absorption

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What’s the difference between ‘cemetery’ and ‘graveyard’?

Popular in Wordplay

sorb

verb

noun

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Medical Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on sorb

More from Merriam-Webster

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

hobgoblin