adopt

[ uh-dopt ]

See synonyms for: adopt adopted adopting on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to choose or take as one's own; make one's own by selection or assent: to adopt a nickname.
to take responsibility for raising (someone else’s biological child) as one's own, specifically by a formal legal act: After more than 300 days in foster care, the twins were adopted by a family that was able to keep the siblings together.

to acquire (a pet, especially one from an animal rescue organization): Local animal rescue groups use social media to persuade people to adopt dogs and cats from them instead of purchasing puppies and kittens from pet shops or breeders.
to take or receive into any kind of new relationship: to adopt a person as a protégé.
to select as a basic or required textbook or series of textbooks in a course.
to vote to accept: The House adopted the report.
to accept or act in accordance with (a plan, principle, etc.).

verb (used without object)

to take a nonbiological child into one’s home and raise as one’s own.
to acquire a pet, especially one from an animal rescue organization: “Adopt! Don’t shop!” is the popular slogan promoted by one nonprofit animal advocacy group.

Verb Phrases

adopt out, to place in a home by means of adoption: The shelter provides basic medical care and vaccinations to the animals they will be adopting out.

Origin of adopt

First recorded 1490–1500; late Middle English adopten, partly from Middle French adopter, partly from Latin adoptāre, equivalent to ad- verb prefix + optāre “to desire, pray for”; see ad-, opt

Other words from adopt

a·dopt·er, noun
non·a·dopt·er, noun
pre·a·dopt, verb (used with object)
qua·si-a·dopt, verb (used with object)
qua·si-a·dopt·ed, adjective
re·a·dopt, verb (used with object)
un·a·dopt·ed, adjective
well-a·dopt·ed, adjective

Words that may be confused with adopt

1. adapt, adept, adopt
2. adopted , adoptive

Words Nearby adopt

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use adopt in a sentence

The Sense, however, is alone as the first Fitbit to adopt an ECG sensor, bringing it up to speed with the new Apple Watch on that front.
Fitbit Sense review | Brian Heater | September 24, 2020 | TechCrunch
For farms to adopt climate-friendly practices, they need restaurants that reward them for doing so.
This restaurant duo want a zero-carbon food system. Can it happen? | Bobbie Johnson | September 24, 2020 | MIT Technology Review
New York adopted some of the toughest measures, and it now has the third-lowest per-capita case rate among the 50 states.
Fauci finally loses his patience with Rand Paul | Aaron Blake | September 23, 2020 | Washington Post
Even in normal circumstances, when people are not under stress, it is difficult to adopt AI tools into a process and make sure it’s all properly regulated.
We’re not ready for AI, says the winner of a new $1m AI prize | Will Heaven | September 23, 2020 | MIT Technology Review
The networks may benefit from more people having adopted streaming this year and the people who canceled their pay-TV subscriptions looking to subscribe to streamers offering TV programming.
How TV networks are setting up for the expanding ad-supported streaming war | Tim Peterson | September 23, 2020 | Digiday

Now Wisconsin is considering making it mandatory for parents who adopt overseas to have their children “re-adopted” in the state.
Judge: Rehoming Kids Is Trafficking | Tina Traster | December 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Some of the most explosive opportunities could be based around things that the Western world seems reluctant to adopt.
Silicon Valley Sets Its Sights on Africa | Christian Borys | December 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
“It doesn't require the association to immediately adopt the listed protections,” Hruby wrote.
Will the NCAA Let Ohio State’s Kosta Karageorge Die in Vain? | Robert Silverman | December 1, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
How many shootings will it take before we adopt common sense gun control?
A Navy Vet’s Case for Gun Control | Shawn VanDiver | November 23, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Almost every country present pledged to either adopt a church or rebuild a school.
Madonna, Carla Bruni & Obama Abandoned Pledges To Rebuild L'Aquila After The Quake | Barbie Latza Nadeau | November 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The French adopt the same derivation, calling it "asbeste" (minèral filamenteux et incombustible).
Asbestos | Robert H. Jones
They may adopt such rules as they like provided they are not contrary to the laws of the land.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman | Albert Sidney Bolles
Very soon I induced my directors to adopt the view that the railway company must encourage and help the project.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland | Joseph Tatlow
But don't adopt the role of inquisitor—because I'm as good as dead, and dead men tell no tales.
Raw Gold | Bertrand W. Sinclair
It decided to adopt Mr. Dickinson's petition; and to this measure John Adams submitted.
The Eve of the Revolution | Carl Becker

British Dictionary definitions for adopt

adopt

/ (əˈdɒpt) /

verb(tr)

law to bring (a person) into a specific relationship, esp to take (another's child) as one's own child
to choose and follow (a plan, technique, etc)

to take over (an idea, etc) as if it were one's own
to take on; assume: to adopt a title
to accept (a report, etc)

Origin of adopt

C16: from Latin adoptāre to choose for oneself, from optāre to choose

Derived forms of adopt

adoptee, noun
adopter, noun
adoption, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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