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
Kristine — who became an advocate for children with disabilities after working with her autistic son, Jacob (Aias Dalman) — urges Michael to agree to Natalia’s adoption, despite their ongoing marital troubles.
—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 19 Mar. 2025
To learn about the adoption process and available animals, go here.
—Trish Stinger and, Kansas City Star, 19 Mar. 2025
The adoption of the method came just hours before Louisiana ended a 15-year pause on capital punishment with the nitrogen gas execution of Jessie Hoffman, marking the first time the method has been used outside of Alabama and only the fifth time in the U.S. since last January.
—James Powel, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2025
The release of Good American Family, an Ellen Pompeo limited series based on the adoption of Natalia Grace by Kristine and Michael Barnett, has brought the very famous case back to the spotlight.
—Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adoption
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Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 19 Mar. 2025
To learn about the adoption process and available animals, go here.
—Trish Stinger and, Kansas City Star, 19 Mar. 2025
The adoption of the method came just hours before Louisiana ended a 15-year pause on capital punishment with the nitrogen gas execution of Jessie Hoffman, marking the first time the method has been used outside of Alabama and only the fifth time in the U.S. since last January.
—James Powel, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2025
The release of Good American Family, an Ellen Pompeo limited series based on the adoption of Natalia Grace by Kristine and Michael Barnett, has brought the very famous case back to the spotlight.
—Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adoption
Cite this Entry
“Adoption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adoption. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
adoption
noun
adop·tion
ə-ˈdäp-shən
: the act of adopting : the state of being adopted
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