foster parent

noun

plural foster parents

1

: a person temporarily serving as a parent for a child who has lost or been removed from a parent's care and who is not the person's own biological child

specifically, US : such a person who has been trained and approved by a government or social-service agency

Many foster parents … continue to act selflessly as important way stations for at-risk kids while their biological parents get their lives together.

—Timothy Roche

Foster parents adopt children in Ventura County [California] more often than relatives do.

—Stephanie Hoops

2

a

: a person temporarily caring for an animal (such as one that is injured or awaiting adoption)

The 36-year-old Owosso [Michigan] native became a foster parent to dogs through the shelter five years ago.

—Anamaria Dickerson

b

: an animal caring for an unrelated offspring

Cowbirds deposit their eggs in the nests of other birds, and unknowing foster parents raise baby cowbirds along with their own young.

—The Tuscaloosa (Alabama) News

Tom hoped the little eaglet could be placed into an active nest, adopted and raised by wild foster parents, and could ultimately fly free.

—Massachusetts Wildlife

Examples of foster parent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Over a decade as foster parents, Heather and Evan Rosenberg helped raise 17 children who had been taken into state care. —Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 6 June 2024

Through a contact at the Department of Children's Services in Connecticut, Alicia found out her parents could qualify to become foster parents and take custody of the twins. —Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 3 June 2024

Depending on a child’s needs, they could be placed with a relative, a licensed foster parent or at a licensed residential facility. —Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 1 June 2024

But this new rule supports only family members who are willing to get licensed as foster parents. —Jennifer Brookland, Detroit Free Press, 6 May 2024

IndyStar is not naming the foster parent at this time and no one has been accused of abuse or any crime. —Binghui Huang, The Indianapolis Star, 1 May 2024

The most outspoken of the Turpin siblings, Jordan has been focused on healing from her horrific experiences with both her parents and foster parents. —Stephanie Kaloi, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024

About two months later, the foster parents after feeding the boy either placed him improperly in his sleeping area or failed to observe him roll over. —Theresa Clift, Sacramento Bee, 9 Apr. 2024

The nonprofits, known as foster family agencies, play an important role in this process by recruiting foster parents and training them, as well as providing social work support. —Ana B. Ibarra, The Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1