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
This will foster early adoption and innovation, while addressing challenges in urban planning and sustainability.
—Yuval Boger, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Yet despite overwhelming research supporting better sleep policies – such as delaying school start times to align with adolescent biology and the adoption of permanent standard time – these issues remain largely overlooked in public policy discussions.
—Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2025
The country is also expanding its reach and helping boost green energy adoption in other countries—most notably by shifting its Belt and Road Initiative, a global infrastructure development project, in developing nations to focus on clean energy and green infrastructure.
—Simmone Shah, TIME, 7 Mar. 2025
Policy recommendations include reinstating and increasing dedicated funding for reading coaches, reforming teacher preparation programs with more math content and investing and prioritizing the adoption of high-quality instructional materials with rich content.
—John Padget, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adoption
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Yuval Boger, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Yet despite overwhelming research supporting better sleep policies – such as delaying school start times to align with adolescent biology and the adoption of permanent standard time – these issues remain largely overlooked in public policy discussions.
—Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2025
The country is also expanding its reach and helping boost green energy adoption in other countries—most notably by shifting its Belt and Road Initiative, a global infrastructure development project, in developing nations to focus on clean energy and green infrastructure.
—Simmone Shah, TIME, 7 Mar. 2025
Policy recommendations include reinstating and increasing dedicated funding for reading coaches, reforming teacher preparation programs with more math content and investing and prioritizing the adoption of high-quality instructional materials with rich content.
—John Padget, Orlando Sentinel, 6 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 12 Mar. 2025.
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adoption
noun
adop·tion
ə-ˈdäp-shən
: the act of adopting : the state of being adopted
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