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
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
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
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 support page said the feature is gradually rolling out to all users, suggesting full global adoption is coming, but could take some time.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 26 Dec. 2025
His research spans air taxis, autonomous mobility, delivery robots, and futuristic transport concepts like the Hyperloop, with a focus on how social norms, risk perception, and lived experience shape adoption.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 25 Dec. 2025
Pet adoption services or people giving an animal away for adoption are encouraged to search the list to screen potential adopters.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 25 Dec. 2025
Noel, along with her puppies are currently in a foster home and under the Woodward Center veterinary team care and will be available for adoption in mid-February.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adoption
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Dylan Butts, CNBC, 26 Dec. 2025
His research spans air taxis, autonomous mobility, delivery robots, and futuristic transport concepts like the Hyperloop, with a focus on how social norms, risk perception, and lived experience shape adoption.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 25 Dec. 2025
Pet adoption services or people giving an animal away for adoption are encouraged to search the list to screen potential adopters.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 25 Dec. 2025
Noel, along with her puppies are currently in a foster home and under the Woodward Center veterinary team care and will be available for adoption in mid-February.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adoption
Cite this Entry
“Adoption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adoption. Accessed 26 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
adoption
noun
adop·tion
ə-ˈdäp-shən
: the act of adopting : the state of being adopted
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share