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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:

“Just seeing the next generation, the reason why I’ve been more optimistic about having a foster child of my own, is about being able to see them grow.”

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 11, 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

In 2009 movie The Blind Side, Michael Oher, a foster child in Tennessee, is adopted by a wealthy white couple and blooms into a star college athlete.

From BBC Aug. 14, 2023

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

From Seattle Times Jan. 30, 2023

That spring Vivian, a foster child who was slightly younger than me, moved in and slept on a cot in Mrs. Chavez’s room.

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

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