ADP

noun

ˌā-(ˌ)dē-ˈpē 

: 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

Trump wrote in a social media post on June 5 after a disappointing estimate of May’s private-sector job growth by payroll processor ADP. —Paul Davidson, USA Today, 17 June 2025

Workers who switched companies in May earned an average pay bump of 7%, according to data from ADP. —Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 13 June 2025

But private employment saw the weakest monthly growth in the last two years, according to payroll processor ADP. —Maria Gracia Santillana Linares, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025

The private sector added just 37,000 jobs last month, down from 60,000 in April and well below the 110,000 expected by economists, according to research firm ADP. —Ben Smith, semafor.com, 6 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

adenosine diphosphate

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

ADP

noun

ˌā-ˌdē-ˈpē 

ā-ˈdē-ˌpē

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

Medical Definition

ADP

noun

ˌā-ˌdē-ˈpē  ā-ˈdē-ˌpē 

: 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