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
Colleen Haggerty, Bank of America’s senior vice president of global marketing and corporate affairs, cited the adoption of self-service banking and a decline in foot traffic as the reasons behind the upcoming closure.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 6 June 2024
The Second Chain Supply Agreement provides for the adoption of Beyond Oil's product by this chain in Israel, marking the second international fast-food chain to become a direct customer of Beyond Oil.
—Miami Herald, 6 June 2024
Several days after her adoption, Dory accompanied Doug on a meet-and-greet with musical artist G Flip.
—Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 4 June 2024
The erosion of that barrier was driven by the success of far-right parties and the adoption of parts of their agenda by mainstream parties.
—Emma Bubola, New York Times, 3 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for adoption 
Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 6 June 2024
The Second Chain Supply Agreement provides for the adoption of Beyond Oil's product by this chain in Israel, marking the second international fast-food chain to become a direct customer of Beyond Oil.
—Miami Herald, 6 June 2024
Several days after her adoption, Dory accompanied Doug on a meet-and-greet with musical artist G Flip.
—Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 4 June 2024
The erosion of that barrier was driven by the success of far-right parties and the adoption of parts of their agenda by mainstream parties.
—Emma Bubola, New York Times, 3 June 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 9 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
adoption
noun
adop·tion
ə-ˈdäp-shən
: the act of adopting : the state of being adopted
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