(often be absorbed) to take a smaller business into a larger one so that it becomes part of it; to take unemployed workers from other businesses into a company 兼并；吸纳◆Several large clothing chains were absorbed into the group. 这个集团兼并了几家大型服装连锁店。◆a scheme to absorb workers from failing industries 从前景暗淡的行业中吸纳工人的计划
to be able to deal with high costs, losses or changes without showing any bad effects 承担；消化；吸收◆The company has absorbed the higher manufacturing costs rather than pass them on to its customers. 这公司承担了较高的生产成本，而不是转嫁给顾客。
(about a market) to accept and be able to sell a product （指市场）接受，吸纳◆It would take the market three or four years to absorb the increase in the number of hotel rooms. 市场需要三四年的时间才能吸纳宾馆房间增加的数量。➡accept (6)
to use up a large supply of sth, especially money or time 耗费（尤指金钱或时间）◆The new proposals would absorb $80 million of the federal budget. 这项新建议将耗费 8000 万元的联邦预算。