SINCE 1828
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
: to adopt a child
couples choosing to adopt
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Other Words from adopt
adoptability
\ -ˌdäp-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē
\
noun
\
noun
adoptable
\ -ˈdäp-tə-bəl
\
adjective
\
adjective
adopter
noun
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.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Many PCs are still running Windows 10 version 1803, from March 2018, after which Microsoft adopted a go-slow approach to Windows 10 version 1809, also known as the October 2018 Update. — Mark Hachman, PCWorld, "Microsoft skips way, way ahead in new Windows 10 build," 14 Feb. 2019 Possibility number two: Rose, his father’s ex-wife and his adopted mom’s step-daughter, is his biological mom. — Maria Tallarico, Glamour, "9 Jane the Virgin Fan Theories That Will Keep You Up at Night," 11 Jan. 2019 But the British competition isn't the only one adopting the change: CountryLiving.com confirms that trios will be allowed to audition in the U.S. for season 16! — Kelly O'sullivan, Country Living, "'The Voice' Blind Auditions Are Changing in a Big Way," 6 Jan. 2019 There was Delphi's Dynamic Skip Fire system, which General Motors is adopting for its big V8s. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, "The 2018 Cars Technica cars and SUVs of the year," 30 Dec. 2018 Until Microsoft fully adopts USB-C across its devices, this is the next best thing. — Dan Seifert, The Verge, "This cable lets you charge your Surface Pro or Laptop from a USB-C battery," 18 Dec. 2018 This is Europe’s first government collapse over the United Nations’ global pact for migration that several European governments refused to adopt last week. — Valentina Pop, WSJ, "Belgian Prime Minister Offers Resignation After Migration Rift," 18 Dec. 2018 Check it out in 2:33 below: Myron is Mac Miller's dog that has now been adopted by Ariana. — Tamara Fuentes, Seventeen, "Ariana Grande Savagely Covered Up Another Pete Davidson Tattoo with a Mac Miller Tribute," 3 Dec. 2018 Following a lengthy legal battle, Dallas and some of the other dogs were taken by Pit Sisters, a Florida organization which works with breeds that have more difficulty being adopted -- such as pit bulls -- to find homes. — Madeline Farber, Fox News, "Pit bull formerly used in fighting ring joins Virginia police department," 25 Sep. 2018These 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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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
\
adjective
adoptability
\ ə-ˌdäp-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē \
adverb
adoption
\ ə-ˈdäp-shən
\
noun
\
noun
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Comments on adopt
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