adductor

noun

ad·​duc·​tor ə-ˈdək-tər 

a-

1

: a muscle that draws a part toward the median line of the body or toward the axis of an extremity

2

: a muscle that closes the valves of a bivalve mollusk

Examples of adductor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Temwa Chawinga was called in to represent Malawi, but the star forward announced via Instagram an adductor injury will keep her out. —Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2025

This makes the squat explosive, leading to greater stimulation and means Madrid’s players work their adductor muscles in their thighs. —Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025

Third-year pro Jordan Walsh and second-year pro Baylor Scheierman also had positive moments, though Walsh missed two games with an adductor injury while Scheierman shot the ball poorly and struggled with turnovers. —Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 17 Oct. 2025

Star winger Matthew Tkachuk, out after surgery to repair a torn adductor muscle and sports hernia, is a big player on the second line. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, going back to Late Latin, "conductor," from Latin addūcere "to lead or bring (to a place)" + -tor, agent suffix — more at adduce

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

adductor

noun

ad·​duc·​tor ə-ˈdək-tər 

: a muscle that draws a body part (as an arm or finger) toward or past a plane or a line that divides the body or a hand or foot into right and left halves

Medical Definition

adductor

noun

ad·​duc·​tor -ˈdək-tər 

1

: any of three powerful triangular muscles that contribute to the adduction of the human thigh:

a

: one arising from the superior ramus of the pubis and inserted into the middle third of the linea aspera

called also adductor longus

b

: one arising from the inferior ramus of the pubis and inserted into the iliopectineal line and the upper part of the linea aspera

called also adductor brevis

c

: one arising from the inferior ramus of the pubis and the ischium and inserted behind the first two into the linea aspera

called also adductor magnus

2

: any of several muscles other than the adductors of the thigh that draw a part toward the median line of the body or toward the axis of an extremity