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.

---

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

---

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 .

---

Compare meaning

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

• ATP vs. ADP

Example Sentences

The party says this could deliver £1.8bn of savings annually by 2030-31, given about 40% of ADP claims are categorised under mental or behavioural disorders.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

Meanwhile, only 2 in 10 workers feel confident their job is safe from elimination, according to ADP research released late last month.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

Looking at the details in Wednesday’s ADP data, small businesses with less than 50 employees added a whopping 85,000 jobs to payrolls last month, with micro businesses really leading the way.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

ADP reported the U.S. economy added 62,000 private-sector jobs in March, a slight decrease from February.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

The charging of the battery, in which ADP and a free phosphate group are combined to restore ATP, is coupled to the oxidative process; the close linking is known as coupled phosphorylation.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson