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 Labor Department will release the May employment report Friday; ADP reported private companies added 122,000 jobs in May.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

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

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

ADP private-sector payrolls for May are due at 8:15 a.m., followed by factory orders and the Institute for Supply Management’s services survey for May at 10 a.m.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 3, 2026

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

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson