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to unite or join so as to increase the number, quantity, size, or importance:
to add two cups of sugar; to add a postscript to her letter; to add insult to injury.
to find the sum of (often followed by up):
Add this column of figures. Add up the grocery bills.
to say or write further.
to include (usually followed by in):
Don’t forget to add in the tip.
to perform the arithmetic operation of :
children learning to add and subtract.
to be or serve as an (usually followed by to):
His illness added to the family’s troubles.
Journalism. copy added to a completed story.
add up to, to signify; indicate:
The evidence adds up to a case of murder.
add up,

to make the desired, expected, or correct total:
These figures don’t add up right.
to seem reasonable or consistent; be in harmony or accord:
Some aspects of the story didn’t add up.

Contemporary Examples

“You are bringing someone into an atmosphere of intensity, and adding a lot of pressure to a first-time meeting,” says Berman.
How to Make It Through Thanksgiving Alive Lizzie Crocker November 25, 2014

The new idea of making the said Dorito shell spicier and adding a splash of lime is derivative at best.
Is America Out of Ideas? Daniel Gross August 26, 2013

I want to see this rough patch through,” he says, adding, “There is still lots I can do.
Rep. David Price Remembers When a Less Partisan Congress Actually Worked Eleanor Clift January 25, 2014

Whisk in the flour and reduce to sauce consistency, skimming occasionally and adding more stock as necessary.
5 Healthy Spa Meals Ratha Tep January 12, 2011

Also adding to the intrigue late last year was a very sudden change in the rules of succession.
Is Kate Middleton Pregnant? Unusual Betting Patterns Trigger Fresh Speculation Tom Sykes March 25, 2012

Historical Examples

Then the Roman, adding a word or two, closed with an obscene gesture.
The Brass Bell Eugne Sue

So called from its habit of adding funeral outlays to the other expenses of living.
The Devil’s Dictionary Ambrose Bierce

This is as plain as adding up the weight of three small hogs.
The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln, Volume Two Abraham Lincoln

By adding to it lemon juice, you may make what is called negus.
Directions for Cookery, in its Various Branches Eliza Leslie

She relieved the situation of its cold-toned strain in adding: ‘He is a host.’
One of Our Conquerors, Complete George Meredith

noun
an act or instance of addition
adjective
of, for, or relating to addition
(in systemic grammar) denoting a bound clause that qualifies the meaning of an antecedent noun rather than of the sentence as a whole Compare contingency (sense 4)
verb
to combine (two or more numbers or quantities) by addition
(transitive) foll by to. to increase (a number or quantity) by another number or quantity using addition
(transitive) often foll by to. to join (something) to something else in order to increase the size, quantity, effect, or scope; unite (with): to add insult to injury
(intransitive) foll by to. to have an extra and increased effect (on): her illness added to his worries
(transitive) to say or write further
(transitive) foll by in. to include
noun
(informal) an instance of adding someone to one’s list of contacts on a social networking site, esp MySpace: Thanks for the add!
abbreviation
attention deficit disorder
v.

late 14c., “to join or unite (something to something else),” from Latin addere “add to, join, attach, place upon,” from ad- “to” (see ad-) + -dere comb. form meaning “to put, place,” from dare “to give” (see date (n.1)). Meaning “to do sums, do addition” also is from late 14c. Related: Added; adding. To add up “make sense” is from 1942.

ADD abbr.
attention deficit disorder
ADD
Abbreviation of attention deficit disorder
Administration on Developmental Disabilities
attention deficit disorder