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

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

• ATP vs. ADP

Example Sentences

Through the spring, “we were gaining momentum,” said Nela Richardson, chief economist at the human-resources and payroll-processing company ADP.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 3, 2026

Data from payroll firm ADP showed the private sector added 98,000 jobs last month, which was less than the 120,000 expected.

From Barron's • Jul. 2, 2026

ADP is a lead act of sorts for the official U.S. employment report due Thursday — a day early this month because of the July 4 holiday.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 1, 2026

Private companies added 98,000 jobs in June, falling short of the 110,000 jobs economists expected, ADP said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 1, 2026

The analogy of the storage battery has been used: ATP represents the charged, ADP the discharged battery.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson