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foster mother

American  

noun

  1. a woman who takes the place of a mother in raising a child.

  2. a nurse.


foster mother British  

noun

  1. a woman who looks after or brings up a child or children as a mother, in place of the natural or adoptive mother

"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

Etymology

Origin of foster mother

before 1000; Middle English; Old English

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

K's foster mother has called for an inquiry into how K was left living in Wixon's home for 25 years without the authorities knowing.

From BBC Mar. 12, 2026

As Laura, the foster mother in “Bring Her Back,” Ms. Hawkins turns the smile up to terrifying.

From The Wall Street Journal Sep. 30, 2025

Justin’s foster mother said her daughter had handed off the toddler and his siblings to Daniel that morning at a Taco Bell.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 22, 2024

You were a foster mother to a disabled adult for 13 years.

From Slate Apr. 4, 2024

I knew our foster mother would gently scold me in the morning, but I just kept doing it.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles

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