foster parent

noun

plural foster parents

1

: a person temporarily serving as a parent for a child who has lost or been removed from a parent's care and who is not the person's own biological child

specifically, US : such a person who has been trained and approved by a government or social-service agency

Many foster parents … continue to act selflessly as important way stations for at-risk kids while their biological parents get their lives together.

—Timothy Roche

Foster parents adopt children in Ventura County [California] more often than relatives do.

—Stephanie Hoops

2

a

: a person temporarily caring for an animal (such as one that is injured or awaiting adoption)

The 36-year-old Owosso [Michigan] native became a foster parent to dogs through the shelter five years ago.

—Anamaria Dickerson

b

: an animal caring for an unrelated offspring

Cowbirds deposit their eggs in the nests of other birds, and unknowing foster parents raise baby cowbirds along with their own young.

—The Tuscaloosa (Alabama) News

Tom hoped the little eaglet could be placed into an active nest, adopted and raised by wild foster parents, and could ultimately fly free.

—Massachusetts Wildlife

Examples of foster parent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Nathaniel Raymond, executive director of the humanitarian lab, said Russian foster parents or guardians can apply for Russian citizenship on behalf of Ukrainian children in their custody. —Joanna Kakissis, NPR, 3 Dec. 2024

The three foster parents were arrested in 2021 and initially pleaded not guilty. —Izzy Alvarez, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2024

Massey said using foster parents helps the Safari Park’s goal of producing as many healthy chicks as possible. —Karen Kucher, The Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2024

The two-year-old shih tzu came in as a stray to the Carson Animal Shelter in California where foster parent Jan Vega volunteers. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1