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Definition of adoption

adoption

/əˈdɑːp.ʃən/
a · dop · tion
Plural:adoptions
•
Adjective:adoptive
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adoption Lexical Profile

adoption Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The legal action or process of taking another person's child and raising them permanently as one's own.

Example

"The couple finalized the adoption of their newborn daughter after months of legal paperwork."

2

The action or fact of choosing to take up, follow, or use an idea, method, technology, or policy.

Example

"Widespread adoption of renewable energy technologies has accelerated over the past decade."

3

The act of taking a domesticated animal from a shelter or rescue organization to care for as a household pet.

Example

"Local animal shelters are hosting a weekend event to encourage pet adoption."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for adoption
Antonyms
View all antonyms for adoption

• Rhymes for adoption

• Nearby Words

adoptable
adoptee
adopter
adoption
adoptive
adorability
adorable

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French adoption, from Latin adoptio ('a taking as one's own'), derived from ad- ('to') and optare ('to choose, wish, or desire').

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Adoption. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/adoption
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