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

Murillo felt a tightness in his adductor muscle during the warm-up ahead of yesterday’s 2-0 win at Everton. —Paul Taylor, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024

More news: Former Braves, Dodgers, Nationals Pitcher Dies at 37 In 2024, Moncada was limited to 12 games because of an adductor injury. —Newsweek, 5 Jan. 2025

The 31-year-old, who also signed late in the offseason and didn’t debut until April 8 as a result, allowed 15 earned runs over 11 innings (11.57 ERA) through his first three starts before going on the injured list with a strained adductor muscle. —Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 5 May 2024

The Pelicans were without Zion Williamson (left hamstring tightness), Trey Murphy III (right hamstring strain), Dejounte Murray (left hand fracture), Jordan Hawkins (low back tightness), Herb Jones (right shoulder strain) and CJ McCollum (right adductor strain) against Orlando. —Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Nov. 2024

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