Verb (5-dan, む, transitive)
1. to swallow; to gulp down
残りのコーヒーを、一気に飲み込んだ。I gulped down the rest of the coffee in one go.
2. to understand; to grasp; to take in; to catch on; to learn
すぐには言葉の意味を飲み込めなかった。I couldn't immediately grasp the meaning of the words.
3. to engulf; to swallow up
その穏やかな空気に飲み込まれてしまいそうになる。I feel as if I am about to be engulfed by that gentle atmosphere.
4. to be filled with (people); to contain
5. to swallow (one's words); to suppress (a yawn, tears, etc.); to stifle; to hold back
声に出せず、そのまま飲み込んでしまう。Unable to voice it, I just swallow it down.