foster child
Americannoun
-
a child raised by someone who is not their biological or adoptive parent.
-
a needy child, such as one living in an impoverished country, supported or aided by contribution to a specific charity.
noun
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.
When Allan's foster child arrived, he was "scared, very unsure - not knowing how long it's going to last".
From BBC ● Apr. 5, 2025
“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
The state pays Amerigroup a fixed amount per foster child to provide coverage and hold down costs.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 30, 2023
“We should have been more alert to her condition before placing any foster child there. I should have been more alert.”
From "The Great Gilly Hopkins" by Katherine Paterson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
