ADP

American  

[ey-dee-pee] / ˈeɪˈdiˈpi /

abbreviation

1. Also called adenosine diphosphoric acid.  Biochemistry. adenosine diphosphate: an ester of adenosine and pyrophosphoric acid, C 10 H 12 N 5 O 3 H 3 P 2 O 7 , derived from ATP, and serving to transfer energy during glycolysis.

2. Computers. automatic data processing: the processing of data by computers or related devices, using techniques that reduce human intervention to a minimum.

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ADP British  

noun

1. biochem adenosine diphosphate; a nucleotide derived from ATP with the liberation of energy that is then used in the performance of muscular work

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ADP Scientific  

/ ā′dē′pē′ /

1. Short for adenosine diphosphate. An organic compound that is composed of adenosine and two phosphate groups. With the addition of another phosphate group, it is converted to ATP for the storage of energy during cell metabolism. It then forms again, from ATP, when a phosphate group is removed to release energy. Chemical formula: C ₁₀ H ₁₅ N ₅ O ₁₀ P ₂ .

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Compare meaning

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• ATP vs. ADP

Example Sentences

The ADP and BLS reports can vary widely from month to month, but they move in the same direction over time.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 3, 2026

Private companies added a net 122,000 jobs in May, ADP said Wednesday morning, tacking on more solid gains after the 105,000 roles added in April.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

The U.S. added 122,000 jobs to private payrolls in May, according to the ADP National Employment Report released Wednesday morning External link.

From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026

“Hiring was more broad-based in May than we’ve seen in the last few years,” said Nela Richardson, chief economist at ADP, the U.S.’s largest processor of company payrolls.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 3, 2026

So another cycle takes place — a cycle within a cycle: a molecule of ATP gives up one of its phosphate groups and retains only two, becoming a diphosphate molecule, ADP.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson