foster

¹

[faw-ster, fos-ter]

verb (used with object)

1. to promote the growth or development of; further; encourage.

   to foster new ideas.

   Synonyms: instigate, foment, advance, forward, favor
   Antonyms: discourage

2. to care for a foster child or a pet as a temporary guardian.

   The couple fostered two boys until they could be reunited with their birth parents.

   Have you ever fostered a kitten that you just couldn’t part from afterwards?

   Synonyms: maintain, support, sustain, nourish, nurse

3. to care for or cherish.

4. British.,  to place (a child) in a foster home.

5. Obsolete.,  to feed or nourish.

Foster

²

[faw-ster, fos-ter]

noun

1. Stephen (Collins), 1826–64, U.S. songwriter.

2. William Z(ebulon) 1881–1961, U.S. labor organizer: leader in the Communist Party.

3. a male given name.

foster

¹

/ ˈfɒstə /

verb

1. to promote the growth or development of

2. to bring up (a child, etc); rear

3. to cherish (a plan, hope, etc) in one's mind

4. 1. to place (a child) in the care of foster parents

   2. to bring up under fosterage

adjective

1. (in combination) indicating relationship through fostering and not through birth

   foster mother

   foster child

2. (in combination) of or involved in the rearing of a child by persons other than his natural or adopted parents

   foster home

Foster

²

/ ˈfɒstə /

noun

1. Jodie . born 1962, US film actress and director: her films include Taxi Driver (1976), The Accused (1988), The Silence of the Lambs (1990), Little Man Tate (1991; also directed), Nell (1995), and Panic Room (2002)

2. Norman , Baron. born 1935, British architect. His works include the Willis Faber building (1978) in Ipswich, Stansted Airport, Essex (1991), Chek Lap Kok Airport, Hong Kong (1998), the renovation of the Reichstag, Berlin (1999), and City Hall, London (2002)

3. Stephen Collins . 1826–64, US composer of songs such as The Old Folks at Home and Oh Susanna

Other Word Forms

• fosterer noun
• fosteringly adverb
• unfostering adjective
• fostering noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of foster¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English fōstor “nourishment,” fōstrian “to nourish”; cognate with Old Norse fōstr; akin to food

Word History and Origins

Origin of foster¹

Old English fōstrian to feed, from fōstor _food

Synonym Study

See cherish.

Example Sentences

It strengthens local expertise, fosters equitable collaboration, and ensures discoveries continue to enrich the regions where they originate.

Read more on Science Daily

Analysts say that US efforts to block China's access to advanced computer chips have fostered innovation within China.

Read more on BBC

The Conservatives have accused the Labour government of allowing the case to fail because it wanted to foster closer economic ties with Beijing.

Read more on BBC

The county, which is responsible for the safety of children inside juvenile carceral facilities and foster care, has seen more than 12,000 claims and counting since the law took effect in 2020.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Sheridan’s decision to depart shows the delicate line executives like Ellison have to walk in trying to foster talent while maintaining some control and managing costs.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal