Sorbent Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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sorbent

[ˈsɔː.bənt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

medical

A substance that absorbs or adsorbs another substance.

Synonyms

absorbent, adsorbent, desiccant.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sorbent	Used in scientific and industrial settings to refer to materials that can absorb or adsorb liquids or gases. It is a general term without specifying the process (absorption or adsorption). Activated carbon is a common type of sorbent used in air and water purification. The laboratory uses various sorbents to clean up chemical spills.
absorbent	Refers to materials that soak up liquids or gases by taking them into their volume. Commonly used in everyday contexts as well as scientific and industrial settings. Paper towels are very absorbent and quickly soak up spills. The absorbent pad in diapers helps keep babies dry.
adsorbent	Refers to materials that can attract and hold substances on their surface without taking them into their volume. Commonly used in scientific and industrial contexts. Silica gel is a common adsorbent used for drying and protecting products from moisture. The charcoal filter acts as an adsorbent to remove contaminants from the air.
desiccant	Specifically used for materials that are intended to absorb moisture from the air, keeping the environment dry. Commonly used in packaging, storage, and shipping. Silica gel packets often found in shoe boxes are desiccants that prevent moisture damage. The museum uses desiccants in its display cases to protect artifacts from humidity.

Examples of usage

The doctor prescribed a sorbent to help with the patient's stomach issues.
The sorbent in the water filter helps to remove impurities from the tap water.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

chemistry

A material that has the ability to collect particles of another substance on its surface.

Synonyms

accumulator, collector, gatherer.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sorbent	Used in scientific or technical fields to describe a material that can absorb or adsorb liquids or gases. Activated carbon is a common sorbent used in water purification processes. The research focuses on developing new sorbents for removing pollutants from the environment.
collector	Typically refers to someone who collects specific items as a hobby or to a device that gathers certain data or materials. As a collector of rare coins, she has an impressive and valuable collection. The data collector logs environmental conditions every hour.
gatherer	Describes someone or something that collects items, usually by picking or harvesting them, often in a broader or less specialized way than a collector. In ancient societies, gatherers played an essential role in providing food by collecting fruits and nuts. The gatherer carefully picked the flowers from the field.
accumulator	Appropriate in contexts related to energy storage or the collection of various resources or items over time. The solar panels charge the accumulator, which powers the house during the night. He is an avid accumulator of vintage stamps.

Examples of usage

The sorbent used in the lab experiment was able to capture the excess chemicals in the solution.
The sorbent in the air purifier helps to trap dust and pollen particles.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Science

Sorbents play a vital role in environmental science for cleaning up oil spills and contaminants.
They are used in chromatography, a technique in laboratories to separate substances based on their affinities to sorbents.

Industry

Common sorbents include activated carbon, silica gel, and natural clays, used in air filtration and chemical purification.
The construction industry uses sorbent materials in products like mud mats, which help control spills and erosion.

Health and Safety

Sorbent materials are often used in first-aid spill kits to absorb hazardous substances quickly.
In medical applications, absorbent dressings help manage wound drainage.

Pop Culture

Sorbent materials often make appearances in sci-fi films where characters find innovative ways to deal with spills or cleaning up in unusual environments.
In educational shows, the science of sorbents is sometimes simplified to explain concepts of absorption to young audiences.

Origin of 'sorbent'

Main points about word origin

The term comes from the Latin word 'sorbere', which means 'to swallow' or 'to soak'.
It was first used in scientific contexts in the 19th century to describe materials that absorb other substances.

The word 'sorbent' is derived from the Latin word 'sorbeo', which means 'to suck in'. It first appeared in the English language in the mid-20th century. Sorbents play a crucial role in various fields such as medicine, chemistry, and environmental science by helping to absorb or adsorb different substances.