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What Does ADL Mean in Medical Terms?

ADL stands for activities of daily living. Basic self-care tasks such as eating, bathing and dressing.

activities of daily living

Basic self-care tasks such as eating, bathing and dressing.

Where you will see ADL

You will most often see ADL in medical charts and clinical notes, nursing notes, care plans and handovers.

Example

A chart note might use “ADL” as shorthand for activities of daily living when documenting a patient's care.

Related abbreviations

  • 1:1 — one-to-one observation
  • 2g Na diet — two-gram sodium diet
  • 4-point restraints — four-point restraints
  • A&O — alert and oriented
  • A&O x4 — alert and oriented times four (person place time situation)
  • A-line — A-line (arterial line shorthand)
  • a.c. — ante cibum (before meals)
  • a.m. — ante meridiem (morning)

Browse the full Medical Abbreviations guide — 5,715 entries, searchable A–Z and by specialty.

Educational reference only. This guide is for learning and quick reference. Abbreviations vary between hospitals, countries and specialties, and some are discouraged because they can be misread. Always write and interpret orders using your own institution’s approved abbreviation list, and check anything unclear with the prescriber or your local policy.