adopt
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.).
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.
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
1Other 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
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.
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 ReviewNew 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 PostEven 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 ReviewThe 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.
Some of the most explosive opportunities could be based around things that the Western world seems reluctant to adopt.
“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 BEASTHow many shootings will it take before we adopt common sense gun control?
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 BEASTThe French adopt the same derivation, calling it "asbeste" (minèral filamenteux et incombustible).
Asbestos | Robert H. JonesThey 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 BollesVery 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 TatlowBut don't adopt the role of inquisitor—because I'm as good as dead, and dead men tell no tales.
Raw Gold | Bertrand W. SinclairIt 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
/ (əˈdɒpt) /
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
1Derived 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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