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

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

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

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

Customers filed lawsuits alleging Bacelar was buying dogs on the cheap from breeders, then misrepresenting them as rescues and charging high adoption fees, The Times reported. — Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Opportunities for stablecoin adoption could vary across markets. — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026

But this year, that drop-off was more pronounced – a likely reflection of the massive investment and rapid adoption of artificial intelligence technologies as well as a sign of what could come, Long said. — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2026

Retail investors owned 6 billion more shares and voted 2 billion more shares than the previous season, alongside broader adoption of pass-through voting and virtual shareholder meetings. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English adopcioun, borrowed from Anglo-French adopciun, borrowed from Latin adoptiōn-, adoptiō, from ad- ad- + optiōn-, optiō "right to choose, choice, option entry 1"

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing adoption

• open adoption
• put/give the baby up for adoption

Rhymes for adoption

• option

Kids Definition

adoption

noun

adop·​tion ə-ˈdäp-shən 

: the act of adopting : the state of being adopted