Engross sailors or bishop (6)
I believe the answer is:
absorb
'engross' is the definition.
('absorb' can be a synonym of 'engross')
'sailors or bishop' is the wordplay.
'sailors' becomes 'abs' (I've seen this in other clues).
'bishop' becomes 'b' (abbreviation used in chess).
'abs'+'or'+'b'='ABSORB'
(Other definitions for absorb that I've seen before include "Assimilate or soak up" , "Understand" , "Draw in, knowledge or food" , "hold" , "Soak up - engross" .)