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Synonyms

foster child

American  
[faw-ster chahyld, fos-ter] / ˈfɔ stər ˈtʃaɪld, ˈfɒs tər /

noun

  1. a child raised by someone who is not their biological or adoptive parent.

  2. a needy child, such as one living in an impoverished country, supported or aided by contribution to a specific charity.


foster child British  

noun

  1. a child looked after temporarily or brought up by people other than its natural or adoptive parents

"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 child

1150–1200; Middle English fostercild

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:

Monique Lewis has figured out a few tricks to lure her foster child to school.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 18, 2024

A former foster child who met his wife when he was 19, Major Haley has largely orbited her ambitions since.

From New York Times Feb. 4, 2024

The boy was aged 12 at the time of the incident and was a foster child in Mrs Grant's care.

From BBC Nov. 29, 2023

The state pays Amerigroup a fixed amount per foster child to provide coverage and hold down costs.

From Seattle Times Jan. 30, 2023

“We can take her as a foster child while they work out the details.”

From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter

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