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

The research firm added that while CXMT's technology still lags global memory leaders, domestic internet giants spearheading AI development will likely drive robust adoption of its chips as Beijing pushes for semiconductor self-sufficiency. — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 27 July 2026

Chinese model vendors are expected to leverage open-source software to promote their global usage and adoption, said Lian Jye Su, of the technology research and advisory group Omdia. — ABC News, 26 July 2026

Much of marketing's current AI adoption is aimed at increasing content output. — Gabriel Alin Zainescu, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026

When the girls were about 18 months old, the same father from their adoption group ran a DNA test that confirmed the girls were identical twins. — Wendy Grossman Kantor, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026

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

Rhymes for adoption

• option

Kids Definition

adoption

noun

adop·​tion ə-ˈdäp-shən 

: the act of adopting : the state of being adopted