# abductor

/æbˈdəktɝ/ (US) · /ɐbdˈʌktɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abductor
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

a muscle or part of the body that moves a limb away from the center of the body. For example, the muscle that moves your arm away from your side.

For teachers: a muscle or anatomical structure that moves a limb or part away from the midline of the body. Often used in medical or anatomical contexts to describe specific musculature.

## Examples

- The abductor muscle helps you move your leg outward.
- The surgeon carefully identified the abductor muscle to ensure the patient's hip joint remained stable after the operation.
- Injuries to the abductor muscles can significantly impair lateral movement, requiring targeted physical therapy to restore the full range of motion and prevent long-term gait abnormalities.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.