foster family

American  

[fahs-ter fam-uh-lee, fam-lee] / ˈfɑs tər ˌfæm ə li, ˈfæm li /

noun

1. a family that provides legal guardianship and home care to a child awaiting long-term placement.

2. a family that provides a home and care for a pet awaiting adoption or for a wild animal that is orphaned or recovering from an injury.

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

foster family

She started living with a foster family, but within two years moved into a children's home in Hertfordshire where she stayed until just before her 18th birthday.

From BBC ● Jun. 4, 2026

The children have been placed with a French foster family in Lisbon pending their return to France.

From Barron's ● May 23, 2026

She said she was "so grateful" that Kol had "found some peace" with his "incredible" foster family.

From BBC ● May 11, 2026

The teen, from Honduras and identified only as "Henry," was taken away from his foster family in Pensacola, Florida, "in handcuffs and leg irons," the Miami Herald reported.

From Salon ● Jun. 12, 2025

I bought clothes for myself and my sister and even some for other members of our foster family.

From "Lost Boy, Lost Girl" by John Bul Dau