1. a substance that is adsorbed onto the surface of another material
Usage: chemistry; physics

Examples

• The gas molecules served as the adsorbate on the activated carbon surface.
• Water vapor was the primary adsorbate in the humidity control experiment.
• The researcher measured the concentration of the adsorbate after the adsorption process.
• Different adsorbates require different temperatures for optimal binding.
• The adsorbate formed a thin layer on the catalyst surface.
• Scientists studied how the adsorbate interacted with the solid substrate.