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
Electric vehicle adoption amid federal funding cuts For the past several years, EV adoption rates have been on the rise.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
As adoption accelerates, operators who recognize this complexity and prioritize service quality will be best positioned to lead.
—Eric Updyke, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
For allocators long boxed out by regulatory gray zones, the arrival of compliant, onshore tools marks a shift from passive access to active positioning, and the adoption has been swift.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 28 July 2025
As of July 28, the mixed-breed dog was still available for adoption at the shelter in the Hickory area, a roughly 55-mile drive northwest from Charlotte.
—Simone Jasper
july 28, Charlotte Observer, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for adoption
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
As adoption accelerates, operators who recognize this complexity and prioritize service quality will be best positioned to lead.
—Eric Updyke, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
For allocators long boxed out by regulatory gray zones, the arrival of compliant, onshore tools marks a shift from passive access to active positioning, and the adoption has been swift.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 28 July 2025
As of July 28, the mixed-breed dog was still available for adoption at the shelter in the Hickory area, a roughly 55-mile drive northwest from Charlotte.
—Simone Jasper
july 28, Charlotte Observer, 28 July 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 5 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
adoption
noun
adop·tion
ə-ˈdäp-shən
: the act of adopting : the state of being adopted
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