adductor

noun

ad·​duc·​tor ə-ˈdək-tər 

a-

1

: a muscle that draws a part toward the median line of the body or toward the axis of an extremity

2

: a muscle that closes the valves of a bivalve mollusk

Examples of adductor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After sitting out the March international break due to an adductor injury, the Argentine captain has played 180-plus minutes over Inter Miami’s last two matches. —Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2025

Ten-time All-Star Anthony Davis was ruled out before the game with a left adductor strain, the same injury that sidelined the former Laker for 18 consecutive games. —Janis Carr, Oc Register, 5 Apr. 2025

Davis is on there due to his adductor injury; fortunately, he has been upgraded to available and will start for the Mavericks. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025

Monday night, the Mavericks got Davis back in the lineup after an 18-game absence due to a left adductor strain. —Christian Clark, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, going back to Late Latin, "conductor," from Latin addūcere "to lead or bring (to a place)" + -tor, agent suffix — more at adduce

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

adductor

noun

ad·​duc·​tor ə-ˈdək-tər 

: a muscle that draws a body part (as an arm or finger) toward or past a plane or a line that divides the body or a hand or foot into right and left halves

Medical Definition

adductor

noun

ad·​duc·​tor -ˈdək-tər 

1

: any of three powerful triangular muscles that contribute to the adduction of the human thigh:

a

: one arising from the superior ramus of the pubis and inserted into the middle third of the linea aspera

called also adductor longus

b

: one arising from the inferior ramus of the pubis and inserted into the iliopectineal line and the upper part of the linea aspera

called also adductor brevis

c

: one arising from the inferior ramus of the pubis and the ischium and inserted behind the first two into the linea aspera

called also adductor magnus

2

: any of several muscles other than the adductors of the thigh that draw a part toward the median line of the body or toward the axis of an extremity