: a nucleotide C10H15N5O10P2 composed of adenosine and two phosphate groups that is formed in living cells as an intermediate between ATP and AMP and that is reversibly converted to ATP for the storing of energy by the addition of a high-energy phosphate group

called also adenosine diphosphate

Examples of ADP in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Economists polled by FactSet expect the ADP report to show private-sector job additions of 80,000 in July. Zev Fima,kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 2 Aug. 2026 Workers who changed jobs in construction have outearned employees in every job sector in almost every month since August 2023, an analysis by human resources and payroll provider ADP shows. Robert Abitbol, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026 Platforms such as Gusto, ADP, and Paychex bundle payroll, tax filings, and compliance support into a single system built for small businesses, and are often the fastest way to get this foundation in place without hiring a specialist to manage it. Rob Falzon, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 This analysis leans heavily on ADP (average draft position) and similarly priced players to determine value. Jonathan Rubin, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ADP

Word History

Etymology

adenosine diphosphate

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ADP was in 1942

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“ADP.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ADP. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

Kids Definition

: a compound formed in living cells that reacts to form ATP

Medical Definition

: a nucleotide C10H15N5O10P2 composed of adenosine and two phosphate groups that is formed in living cells as an intermediate between ATP and AMP and that is reversibly converted to ATP for the storing of energy by the addition of a high-energy phosphate group

called also adenosine diphosphate

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