adopt

verb

\ ə-ˈdäpt

adopted; adopting; adopts

Definition of adopt

1 : to take by choice into a relationship especially : to take voluntarily (a child of other parents) as one's own child

2 : to take up and practice or use adopted a moderate tone

3 : to accept formally and put into effect adopt a constitutional amendment

4 : to choose (a textbook) for required study in a course

5 : to sponsor the care and maintenance of adopt a highway

intransitive verb

: to adopt a child couples choosing to adopt

Other Words from adopt Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More About adopt

Other Words from adopt

adoptability \ ə-ˌdäp-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē

\ noun

adoptable \ ə-ˈdäp-tə-bəl

\ adjective

adopter noun

Choose the Right Synonym for adopt

adopt, embrace, espouse mean to take an opinion, policy, or practice as one's own. adopt implies accepting something created by another or foreign to one's nature. forced to adopt new policies embrace implies a ready or happy acceptance. embraced the customs of their new homeland espouse adds an implication of close attachment to a cause and a sharing of its fortunes. espoused the cause of women's rights

Examples of adopt in a Sentence

They were unable to have children of their own, so they decided to adopt. They decided to adopt a child. He was adopted as an infant. Did he adopt your point of view? We adopted some of the local customs. The author Samuel Clemens adopted the name “Mark Twain.” He was born in England but he has adopted Canada as his home. The assembly adopted a new constitution. The resolution was unanimously adopted by the Senate.

Recent Examples on the Web Get with it, understand it, embrace it, adopt it, evolve it and evolve with it. — Bhushan Parikh, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2022 Other states that considered the fees last year but didn’t adopt them include Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey and Kansas. — Ryan Tracy, WSJ, 5 Jan. 2022 Better Tools Already Exist Although software has struggled to keep up with science breakthroughs for decades, new tools are appearing on the market and making the lives of scientists who adopt them easier. — John Cumbers, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2021 Host Rebecca Nagle reports on a case that she's been following for years about a Native American toddler, the White couple trying to adopt him, and a fight for the future of Native American rights. — Xavier Lopez, Jordan Gass-pooré And Eryn Mathewson, CNN, 24 Dec. 2021 In the exclusive clip above, construction team member Joe Looney makes a special connection with one of the dogs and decided to adopt her. — Tristan Balagtas, PEOPLE.com, 13 Dec. 2021 Troy Roberts: There must be a family somewhere in America that would adopt her. — CBS News, 4 Dec. 2021 The idea is to come up with policy initiatives that can help make San Francisco a better place for everyone and push City Hall politicians to adopt them. — Heather Knight, San Francisco Chronicle, 1 Dec. 2021 The sensor should find its way into other devices soon, with Motorola on track to adopt it. — Chris Smith, BGR, 24 Nov. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'adopt.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries Near adopt

adoors

adopt

adopted

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Last Updated

19 Jan 2022

Cite this Entry

“Adopt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adopt. Accessed 21 Jan. 2022.

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More Definitions for adopt

adopt

verb

English Language Learners Definition of adopt

: to take a child of other parents legally as your own child

: to begin to use or have (a different manner, method, etc.)

: to begin to use (a name that is not your real or original name)

See the full definition for adopt in the English Language Learners Dictionary

adopt

verb

\ ə-ˈdäpt

adopted; adopting

Kids Definition of adopt

1 : to legally take a child of other parents to raise

2 : to take up as someone's own After moving to Quebec, he adopted French as his language.

3 : to accept and put into action The state adopted a law requiring drivers to wear seat belts.

adopt

transitive verb

\ ə-ˈdäpt

Legal Definition of adopt

1 : to take voluntarily (a child of other parents) as one's own child especially in compliance with formal legal procedures — see also equitable adoption

2 : to take or accept as if one's own [the company] adopted the signature on the financing statement — Barber-Greene Co. v. Nat'l City Bank of Minneapolis, 816 F.2d 1267 (1987)

3 : to accept formally and put into effect adopt a constitutional amendment

Other Words from adopt

adoptable \ ə-ˈdäp-tə-bəl

\ adjective

adoptability \ ə-ˌdäp-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē \ adverb

adoption \ ə-ˈdäp-shən

\ noun