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

On Monday, the Sixers announced that George recently received injections in both his left adductor muscle and left knee, so his season is now over after 41 games. —Bryan Toporek, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025

The examination’s findings confirmed the presence of a low-grade injury in the adductor muscle. —Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2025

Givens, who’s been with the 49ers since 2019, battled an adductor injury last year and finished with 3 1/2 sacks in eight games. —Matt Barrows, The Athletic, 11 Mar. 2025

Star forward Anthony Davis, who came over from Los Angeles in the shocking trade, was forced out of the Mavericks’ lineup shortly after becoming part of the team by a left adductor strain. —Ben Church, CNN, 4 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