adduct

American  

[uh-duhkt, ad-uhkt] / əˈdʌkt, ˈæd ʌkt /

verb (used with object)

1. Physiology. to move or draw toward the axis of the body or one of its parts (opposed to abduct).

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noun

1. Also called addition compound. Chemistry. a combination of two or more independently stable compounds by means of van der Waals' forces, coordinate bonds, or covalent bonds.

adduct British  

/ əˈdʌkt /

verb

1. (of a muscle) to draw or pull (a leg, arm, etc) towards the median axis of the body Compare abduct

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noun

1. chem a compound formed by direct combination of two or more different compounds or elements

Other Word Forms

• adduction
  noun
• adductive
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of adduct

First recorded in 1830–40; from Latin adductus “drawn to,” past participle of addūcere “to bring into”; see adduce

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Compare meaning

How does adduct compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• abduct vs. adduct

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

adduct

An adduct is a bulky chemical attachment that forms when a compound, such as a carcinogen, binds directly to DNA.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 28, 2025

Loss of this subunit impedes alkylation adduct repair kinetics and increases sensitivity to alkylating agents, but not other forms of DNA damage.

From Nature ● Nov. 7, 2017

A combination of gluteal and thigh muscles also adduct, abduct, and rotate the thigh and lower leg.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

When the two eyes move to look at something closer to the face, they both adduct, which is referred to as convergence.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

Contraction of the anterior pterygoid when the jaw was in this position pulled the mandible forward and did not adduct it.

From The Adductor Muscles of the Jaw In Some Primitive Reptiles by Richard C. Fox

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