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 pair placed Carly, now 15, for adoption in 2009, and she was adopted by Brandon and Teresa Davis.
—Toria Sheffield, People.com, 31 Mar. 2025
The absence of side effects increases the likelihood that Neuralink’s brain chip could see wider adoption among individuals with physical disabilities.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025
Powerful earthquakes in countries lacking seismic preparedness, often due to lack of adoption or enforcement of building codes, have produced much greater devastation and loss of life.
—Jonathan P. Stewart, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2025
In the midst of a market correction and ongoing uncertainty about the outlook for U.S. stocks and the global economy, JPMorgan Chase and BlackRock are among major players in the ETF space making bets that private strategies will continue to see greater adoption.
—Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adoption
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Toria Sheffield, People.com, 31 Mar. 2025
The absence of side effects increases the likelihood that Neuralink’s brain chip could see wider adoption among individuals with physical disabilities.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025
Powerful earthquakes in countries lacking seismic preparedness, often due to lack of adoption or enforcement of building codes, have produced much greater devastation and loss of life.
—Jonathan P. Stewart, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2025
In the midst of a market correction and ongoing uncertainty about the outlook for U.S. stocks and the global economy, JPMorgan Chase and BlackRock are among major players in the ETF space making bets that private strategies will continue to see greater adoption.
—Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 30 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 6 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
adoption
noun
adop·tion
ə-ˈdäp-shən
: the act of adopting : the state of being adopted
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