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 event will feature a costume contest, pop-up tents and music to raise funds for local pet adoption organizations.
—La Jolla Light, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile pet adoption was booming in other parts of the country.
—Erin Neil, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2025
Three adoptions had fallen through.
—Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025
Seventy-one percent of American adults over the age of 50 report using health-tracking applications, and adoption of artificial intelligence — technology with wide applications and low barriers to entry — has doubled in this cohort over the past year.
—Bill Connolly, Rolling Stone, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adoption
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La Jolla Light, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile pet adoption was booming in other parts of the country.
—Erin Neil, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2025
Three adoptions had fallen through.
—Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025
Seventy-one percent of American adults over the age of 50 report using health-tracking applications, and adoption of artificial intelligence — technology with wide applications and low barriers to entry — has doubled in this cohort over the past year.
—Bill Connolly, Rolling Stone, 15 Oct. 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 24 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
adoption
noun
adop·tion
ə-ˈdäp-shən
: the act of adopting : the state of being adopted
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