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 result could be a renaissance for internal combustion engine cars that puts the U.S. on a very different path from the rest of the world, where EV adoption continues to grow.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 4 July 2025
What freedom means to me Today commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress in 1776.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 4 July 2025
Meanwhile, the Fourth of July, or Independence Day, is a U.S. federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 when 13 American colonies declared their independence from Great Britain.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025
The artificial intelligence funding landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with investors placing strategic bets on companies that can demonstrate clear market validation and enterprise adoption.
—William Jones, USA Today, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for adoption
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Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 4 July 2025
What freedom means to me Today commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress in 1776.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 4 July 2025
Meanwhile, the Fourth of July, or Independence Day, is a U.S. federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 when 13 American colonies declared their independence from Great Britain.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025
The artificial intelligence funding landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with investors placing strategic bets on companies that can demonstrate clear market validation and enterprise adoption.
—William Jones, USA Today, 4 July 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 11 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
adoption
noun
adop·tion
ə-ˈdäp-shən
: the act of adopting : the state of being adopted
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