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
Timothy Roche Foster parents adopt children in Ventura County [California] more often than relatives do. —Stephanie Hoops
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
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
The Tuscaloosa (Alabama) NewsTom 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
Massachusetts WildlifeExamples of foster parent in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
All necessary supplies will be provided to Effie’s foster parents.
—Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2025
Other guests invited by the president include: Jeff Denard: A steel plant worker, volunteer firefighter and foster parent from Decatur, Alabama.
—Savannah Kuchar, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025
This bill prevents the government from denying a prospective adoptive or foster parent application on the basis of homophobia or transphobia.
—Trans Formations Project, Them, 17 Jan. 2025
Some Republicans said that could get costly for foster parents and the taxpayers.
—Catrina Barker | The Center Square Contributor, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for foster parent
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Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2025
Other guests invited by the president include: Jeff Denard: A steel plant worker, volunteer firefighter and foster parent from Decatur, Alabama.
—Savannah Kuchar, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025
This bill prevents the government from denying a prospective adoptive or foster parent application on the basis of homophobia or transphobia.
—Trans Formations Project, Them, 17 Jan. 2025
Some Republicans said that could get costly for foster parents and the taxpayers.
—Catrina Barker | The Center Square Contributor, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for foster parent
Cite this Entry
“Foster parent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foster%20parent. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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