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).

---

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

---

noun

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

Other Word Forms

• adduction
  noun
• adductive
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of adduct

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

Compare meaning

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

• abduct vs. adduct

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

The patient is unable to adduct the limb, and shows a peculiar gait, which has frequently caused the condition to be mistaken for unilateral congenital dislocation at the hip.

From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Miles, Alexander