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

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

The private sector added 42,000 jobs in October, according to the payroll management company ADP. —Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 6 Nov. 2025

That figure, which is provided by payrolls processing company ADP, beat the Dow Jones consensus estimate for an increase of 22,000. —Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2025

Investors and policymakers now look to alternative data, such as Wednesday’s private-sector payroll data from ADP, along with the Challenger report, to understand the state of the US economy. —Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 6 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