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
Kotb has also chronicled her own story, such as her experience with breast cancer and the adoptions of her two daughters, 7-year-old Haley and 5-year-old Hope.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC News, 26 Sep. 2024
The research findings suggest the rapid adoption of these convenient tools may be outpacing regulatory and safety requirements needed to protect riders.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 26 Sep. 2024
The only difference now is that the innovation appears to be happening at a much faster pace, thanks in part to the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2024
The shelter has 189 dogs and 15 cats ready for adoption.
—Michael McDaniel, The Indianapolis Star, 25 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for adoption 
Daniel Arkin, NBC News, 26 Sep. 2024
The research findings suggest the rapid adoption of these convenient tools may be outpacing regulatory and safety requirements needed to protect riders.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 26 Sep. 2024
The only difference now is that the innovation appears to be happening at a much faster pace, thanks in part to the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2024
The shelter has 189 dogs and 15 cats ready for adoption.
—Michael McDaniel, The Indianapolis Star, 25 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for adoption
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'adoption.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near adoption
Cite this Entry
“Adoption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adoption. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
adoption
noun
adop·tion
ə-ˈdäp-shən
: the act of adopting : the state of being adopted
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