foster mother

American  

noun

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

2. a nurse.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of foster mother

before 1000; Middle English; Old English

Example Sentences

In a victim impact statement, read out in the court, Kol's foster mother described how she "immediately fell in love with him".

From BBC • May 11, 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

“Now this new foster mother is very different from Mrs. Nevins.”

From "The Great Gilly Hopkins" by Katherine Paterson