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

Some 60% of workers in Singapore were living paycheck to paycheck in 2024 — notably higher than regional peers such as China, South Korea, Japan and Indonesia, and above the Asia-Pacific average of 48%, a 2025 research from the payroll company ADP found. —Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2025

Creatine phosphate donates a phosphate group to ADP, recycling it back into ATP almost immediately. —Boutayna Chokrane, Wired News, 13 Aug. 2025

Meanwhile, the city’s average daily population, or ADP, which is its share of inmates across the entire year, only increased from 10.3% to 13.9%. —Tim Clouser, The Washington Examiner, 31 July 2025

For example, the ADP private payroll report for July was stronger than expected, whereas pending home sales for June were softer than anticipated. —Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 30 July 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