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
While Cisco’s layoffs were framed as a realignment to focus on emerging technologies, the adoption of AI tools to handle tasks like network monitoring and troubleshooting suggests that automation reduced the need for certain roles.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
Boom tested the material for the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), the Department of Defense’s organization for accelerating the adoption of commercial and dual-use technology, and the Air Force Operational Energy Office, dedicated to increasing operational efficiency of military aircraft.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 3 May 2025
The lack of an Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standard is perhaps the biggest obstacle to the adoption of balcony solar.
—Akielly Hu, Wired News, 3 May 2025
Catelynn Lowell Baltierra has a different perspective on her adoption, 16 years later.
—Angela Andaloro, People.com, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for adoption
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
Boom tested the material for the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), the Department of Defense’s organization for accelerating the adoption of commercial and dual-use technology, and the Air Force Operational Energy Office, dedicated to increasing operational efficiency of military aircraft.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 3 May 2025
The lack of an Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standard is perhaps the biggest obstacle to the adoption of balcony solar.
—Akielly Hu, Wired News, 3 May 2025
Catelynn Lowell Baltierra has a different perspective on her adoption, 16 years later.
—Angela Andaloro, People.com, 2 May 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 12 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
adoption
noun
adop·tion
ə-ˈdäp-shən
: the act of adopting : the state of being adopted
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