adoption

noun

adop·​tion ə-ˈdäp-shən 

plural adoptions

1

: the act or process of adopting someone or something: such as

a

: the act or process of adopting a child

couples who are interested in adoption

About three-quarters of private domestic adoptions are now "open," involving some degree of ongoing contact between adoptive parents, adoptees and the birth family …

—Sydney Trent

b

: the act or process of adopting an animal as a pet

dogs and cats available for adoption

The global pandemic saw a boom in pet adoptions …

—scoop.co.nz

c

: the act of beginning to practice or use something

the adoption of new technology

The versatility of the henley shirt can be seen in its early adoption by rowers and how it has been worn since.

—Emma Fraser

d

: the act or process of giving official acceptance or approval to something

the adoption of measures to reduce emissions

2

: the state or condition of being adopted

She is their daughter by adoption.

Examples of adoption in a Sentence

the company wants to speed up its adoption of new technology.

Our adoption of local customs has gone slowly.

The lawyer has handled countless adoptions.

children who are available for adoption

the unanimous adoption of the resolution by the Senate

Recent Examples on the Web

Although most retail investors who own bitcoin will not utilize this financial instrument, its availability in the U.S. may impact the adoption, liquidity, and volatility of bitcoin. —Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024

Demand for these materials is expected to skyrocket as countries try to meet climate goals by encouraging EV adoption. —Justine Calma, The Verge, 17 Oct. 2024

But awareness and adoption of a bold and core Filipino ingredient, calamansi, has lagged behind, in part due to difficulties in finding fresh or even packaged versions of the citrus fruit. —Ahmed Ali Akbar, Chicago Tribune, 16 Oct. 2024

Seasonal time fell out of favor in Japan at the beginning of the more technologically ambitious Meiji period in 1868 and was completely abandoned by 1872 with the adoption of Western time and the Gregorian calendar. —David Flett, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English adopcioun, borrowed from Anglo-French adopciun, borrowed from Latin adoptiōn-, adoptiō, from ad- ad- + optiōn-, optiō "right to choose, choice, option entry 1"

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing adoption

• open adoption
• put/give the baby up for adoption

Kids Definition

adoption

noun

adop·​tion ə-ˈdäp-shən 

: the act of adopting : the state of being adopted