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

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Other Words from adopt

adoptability \ -ˌdäp-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē

\ noun

adoptable \ -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

Parts of Indiana didn't as well until it was adopted statewide in 2006. — Megan Friedman, Country Living, "10 Things You Didn't Know About Daylight Saving Time," 6 Mar. 2019 After all, the data shows that broadband network speeds increased after the order was adopted. — Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, "Ajit Pai isn’t saying whether ISPs deliver the broadband speeds you pay for," 19 Nov. 2018 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Children's Help Net Foundation (childrenshelpnetfoundation.org) which supports the orphanage from which 2 of her grandnephew were adopted or Reading for the Blind. — Hartford Courant, courant.com, "Theresa J. Vincenzo," 11 July 2018 Her shirt featured the Puerto Rican flag, which was outlawed in the commonwealth before it was officially adopted in 1952. — Morgan Greene, chicagotribune.com, "After viral video, a refresher course: 5 things to know about Puerto Rico," 10 July 2018 The data goes back to 1980 when the Refugee Act was adopted. — Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, "Report: US no longer takes in more refugees than the rest of the world," 6 July 2018 The service, which was never adopted by Telenor or Oooredoo, was quietly shuttered in Myanmar due to government regulation changes the following year. — Timothy Mclaughlin, WIRED, "How Facebook’s Rise Fueled Chaos and Confusion in Myanmar," 6 July 2018 The creator allocated one episode to the mother and sister characters respectively, wherein the lens adopts their points of view. — Aamina Khan, Teen Vogue, "Ramy Youssef Wants to "Complicate the Conversation" with His New Hulu Series," 19 Apr. 2019 Congratulations are in order for @hodakotb, who adopted a second little girl, Hope Catherine, this week. — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "'Today' Star Hoda Kotb Reveals the Deeper Meaning Behind Baby Hope Catherine's Name," 16 Apr. 2019

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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Last Updated

21 May 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for adopt

The first known use of adopt was in the 15th century

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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

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