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
The heartwarming adoption came after Scully and Mulder were found in mid-December.
—Simone Jasper, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2025
Without clear compliance guidelines and frameworks, the journey toward effective AI adoption remains fraught with challenges.
—Mrinal Manohar, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
The puppies are now receiving medical care and are expected to be ready for adoption next week, the Humane Society said on Sunday, Jan. 5.
—Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Jan. 2025
Both the hosting of the Games and the adoption of the euro in 2001 seemed to betoken an unaccustomed self-confidence, optimism and national pride among Greeks.
—Alan Cowell, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for adoption 
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Simone Jasper, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2025
Without clear compliance guidelines and frameworks, the journey toward effective AI adoption remains fraught with challenges.
—Mrinal Manohar, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
The puppies are now receiving medical care and are expected to be ready for adoption next week, the Humane Society said on Sunday, Jan. 5.
—Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Jan. 2025
Both the hosting of the Games and the adoption of the euro in 2001 seemed to betoken an unaccustomed self-confidence, optimism and national pride among Greeks.
—Alan Cowell, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for adoption
Dictionary Entries Near adoption
Cite this Entry
“Adoption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adoption. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
adoption
noun
adop·tion
ə-ˈdäp-shən
: the act of adopting : the state of being adopted
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