foster parent
noun
plural foster parents
1
: a person temporarily serving as a parent for a child who has lost or been removed from a parent's care and who is not the person's own biological child
specifically, US
: such a person who has been trained and approved by a government or social-service agency
Many foster parents … continue to act selflessly as important way stations for at-risk kids while their biological parents get their lives together. —
Timothy Roche
Timothy Roche Foster parents adopt children in Ventura County [California] more often than relatives do. —Stephanie Hoops
Stephanie Hoops 2
a
: a person temporarily caring for an animal (such as one that is injured or awaiting adoption)
The 36-year-old Owosso [Michigan] native became a foster parent to dogs through the shelter five years ago.—Anamaria Dickerson
Anamaria Dickerson
b
: an animal caring for an unrelated offspring
Cowbirds deposit their eggs in the nests of other birds, and unknowing foster parents raise baby cowbirds along with their own young.—The Tuscaloosa (Alabama) News
The Tuscaloosa (Alabama) NewsTom hoped the little eaglet could be placed into an active nest, adopted and raised by wild foster parents, and could ultimately fly free.—Massachusetts Wildlife
Massachusetts WildlifeExamples of foster parent in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The family, from Arkansas, recently shared a glimpse into their lives as foster parents that has since gone viral.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Aug. 2025
In 2014, property owner/manager Johnny Peppers and his wife, Kandace, a singer and event producer, decided to become foster parents.
—The Tennessean, 23 Aug. 2025
Most birders don’t much like cowbirds because the adults lay their eggs in other songbirds’ nests and abandon them to be raised by their foster parents, often at the expense of the foster parents’ own offspring.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Zariah's foster parents described her challenging life, moving between numerous homes and struggling with instability.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foster parent
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Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Aug. 2025
In 2014, property owner/manager Johnny Peppers and his wife, Kandace, a singer and event producer, decided to become foster parents.
—The Tennessean, 23 Aug. 2025
Most birders don’t much like cowbirds because the adults lay their eggs in other songbirds’ nests and abandon them to be raised by their foster parents, often at the expense of the foster parents’ own offspring.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Zariah's foster parents described her challenging life, moving between numerous homes and struggling with instability.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foster parent
Cite this Entry
“Foster parent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foster%20parent. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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