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 resulting benefits supporting pregnancy care, fertility care, surrogacy, adoption, egg freezing and the like have gained in popularity and made significant impacts.
—Rachel Braun Scherl, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
By making intelligent-driving functions available across more vehicle segments, the company hopes to accelerate adoption and establish a stronger position in both domestic and international markets.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 May 2026
The company also claims on its website that these interventions drive up fuel prices, though Chu said Air District regulations are analyzed for potential gas price impacts before adoption.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 30 May 2026
Dell said Thursday that its server unit had gotten a massive boost from widening AI adoption, challenging analysts’ assessment that demand for the business was already reflected in the stock price.
—Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for adoption
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Rachel Braun Scherl, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
By making intelligent-driving functions available across more vehicle segments, the company hopes to accelerate adoption and establish a stronger position in both domestic and international markets.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 May 2026
The company also claims on its website that these interventions drive up fuel prices, though Chu said Air District regulations are analyzed for potential gas price impacts before adoption.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 30 May 2026
Dell said Thursday that its server unit had gotten a massive boost from widening AI adoption, challenging analysts’ assessment that demand for the business was already reflected in the stock price.
—Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for adoption
Cite this Entry
“Adoption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adoption. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
adoption
noun
adop·tion
ə-ˈdäp-shən
: the act of adopting : the state of being adopted
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