foster father

American  

noun

1. a man who takes the place of a father in raising a child.

---

foster father British  

noun

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

---

Etymology

Origin of foster father

before 900; Middle English; Old English

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

foster father

When a psychologically damaged mute boy named Simon breaks into her tower, she is pulled into his life as well as that of his Maori foster father, Joe.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026

He in effect becomes her foster father, but never in official terms, which raises one teacher’s suspicion.

From New York Times ● Apr. 27, 2023

After reconciling with his foster father, he reported for duty on July 1, 1830, at the military academy overlooking the Hudson River.

From Washington Post ● Jan. 19, 2023

Rose is on a mission to find her missing brother, currently held as a prisoner by a cartoonishly evil foster father.

From The Verge ● Aug. 5, 2022

“In the foster home before last. My foster father did sumpin’ with computers.

From "Girls Like Us" by Gail Giles