foster

1 of 2

adjective

fos·​ter ˈfȯ-stər How to pronounce foster (audio)
ˈfä-
1
: having, relating to, or being the relationship between a foster parent and the child who the foster parent cares for
Although both girls lived with Ms. Ayala, Millison was the only one who was officially placed in her care as a foster child.Ian Fisher
Twenty-three foster children now have a place to call home and family of their own following the Adoption Day at the Williamson County Courthouse in Marion on Friday.Holly Kee
a foster mother/father
her new foster brother/sister
living with a foster family
children in foster care
foster parenting
the foster system
2
: being, relating to, or involved in a situation in which temporary care is given to an animal (such as one that is injured or awaiting adoption) in a household or similar setting
foster pets
a foster dog/cat/puppy/kitten
found foster placements for the animals
For the past year, Melbourne social impact strategy consultant Lee Crockford has been a foster dad to Romeo, an adorable Labrador puppy and future seeing eye dog.Shannon Molloy

see also foster home

foster

2 of 2

verb

fostered; fostering ˈfȯ-st(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce foster (audio)
ˈfä-
; fosters

transitive verb

1
a
: to act as a foster parent to (a child)
The couple said they get … updates and pictures from all the children they've fostered.Patrick Edrich
b
: to provide temporary care to (an animal that is injured, homeless, etc.) in a household or similar setting
… it's just her luck she'd find a partner who not only adores dogs but fosters them for a Sacramento animal shelter.Gina Kim
2
: to promote the growth or development of : encourage
policies that foster cooperation
a lack of communication that fostered distrust
Grilling meat fosters the formation of potentially cancer-causing heterocyclic amines …J. Raloff
The dead grass rotted in the warm water, releasing nutrients that fostered algae.Carl Hiaasen
fosterer noun
plural fosterers

Examples of foster in a Sentence

Verb Such conditions foster the spread of the disease. Would you consider fostering a child?
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Offering free legal services can prevent children in kinship families from entering foster care by securing their legal status within families and preserving cultural/community connections. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024 Alliance for Children’s Rights Champions for Children Gala On Tuesday, the Alliance for Children’s Rights hosted its annual Champions for Children gala, supporting the group’s work to provide legal advocacy and services for thousands of children and young adults in foster care. Kirsten Chuba, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2024 Of the 99 foster pups released in the wild since 2016, the 2023 survey found at least 15 have survived. Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 5 Mar. 2024 This volunteer superstar is changing that Feb. 8, 2024 While there is a real need to find the rabbits homes — either foster or permanent —Roberts cautioned animal lovers who might want to take in the rabbits. Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2024 Embracing it can lead to more innovative solutions and better decision-making, as diverse cognitive perspectives challenge conventional thinking and foster creative breakthroughs in business strategies. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 The center is hosting a foster orientation at 10 a.m. March 2. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2024 This requires leaders to recognize and address the unique needs of high performers, foster self-selection into effective teams, avoid win-lose dynamics, resist succumbing to envy and social comparisons and ensure rewards that match value creation. Rajshree Agarwal, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 State welfare officials failed the child, report said A 101-page report released by the state’s Office of the Child Advocate details Harmony’s time in and out of foster care and a judge’s decision in February 2019 to award custody to Harmony’s father, who lived in New Hampshire. Nicki Brown and Nic F. Anderson, CNN, 22 Feb. 2024
Verb
The measure also eases restrictions that have been blamed for fostering a lax police response to retail and property crimes. Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2024 This initiative underscores our ongoing commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive soccer community. Sacramento Bee, 8 Mar. 2024 Balancing work and family life, fostering early development and ensuring comprehensive care for children across various settings demand seemingly endless decisions. Juliette Fabien, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 Slow, shallow sections of rivers can foster more aquatic insects than faster areas. Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 7 Mar. 2024 For him, the closures have fostered resentment and raised questions about wealth, poverty and political power. Sam Metz, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2024 And according to Golden Scene Co. Ltd., initiatives like the Hong Kong-Europe-Asian Film Collaboration Funding Scheme will encourage more directors to embark on international co-productions to foster cross-cultural exchanges and expand the reach of Hong Kong cinema. Partner Content, Variety, 6 Mar. 2024 Some companies for example, including Workday and EY, allow employees to discuss politics at work and believe that helping moderate such conversations in the workplace can foster diversity and strengthen employees’ relationships with their companies. Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 4 Mar. 2024 Proof from market leaders like Gensler and Netflix demonstrate that when implemented more effectively, the co-model can foster collaboration, innovation, and growth that can propel a company forward. Dean Debiase, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'foster.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Verb

Middle English, from Old English fōstor-, from fōstor food, feeding; akin to Old English fōda food

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of foster was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near foster

Cite this Entry

“Foster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foster. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

foster

1 of 2 adjective
fos·​ter ˈfȯs-tər How to pronounce foster (audio)
ˈfäs-
: giving, receiving, or sharing parental care even though not related by blood or legal ties
foster parent
foster child

foster

2 of 2 verb
fostered; fostering -t(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce foster (audio)
1
: to give parental care to
2
: to help the growth or development of
fosterer noun

Legal Definition

foster

1 of 2 adjective
fos·​ter
: affording, receiving, or sharing nurture or parental care though not related by blood or legal relationships
a foster child
a foster parent

foster

2 of 2 transitive verb
fostered; fostering
: to give parental care to

Biographical Definition

Foster 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

Fos·​ter ˈfȯ-stər How to pronounce Foster (audio)
ˈfä-
Stephen Collins 1826–1864 American songwriter

Foster

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

William Z(ebulon) 1881–1961 American Communist

More from Merriam-Webster on foster

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