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

Private companies shed an average of 13,500 jobs per week over the past four weeks, according to payroll processing firm ADP on Tuesday. —Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 26 Nov. 2025

For example, outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas recently said that layoffs last month soared to their highest October level in 22 years, while ADP data released Tuesday shows U.S. companies shed an average of 2,500 jobs per week in the four weeks ending Nov. 1. —Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 18 Nov. 2025

According to a recent assessment of job market trends from payroll processing firm ADP, America’s private employers shed an average of 11,250 jobs a week in the four weeks ending October 25. —Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Nov. 2025

One of those alternative datapoints, ADP’s private employment report, said that companies added only 42,000 jobs last month. —Steve Kopack, NBC news, 7 Nov. 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