adoption
noun
adop·tion
ə-ˈdäp-shən 
plural adoptions
1
: the act or process of adopting someone or something: such as
a
: the act or process of adopting a child
couples who are interested in adoption
About three-quarters of private domestic adoptions are now "open," involving some degree of ongoing contact between adoptive parents, adoptees and the birth family …—
Sydney Trent
Sydney Trent
b
: the act or process of adopting an animal as a pet
dogs and cats available for adoption
The global pandemic saw a boom in pet adoptions …—scoop.co.nz
scoop.co.nz
c
: the act of beginning to practice or use something
the adoption of new technology
The versatility of the henley shirt can be seen in its early adoption by rowers and how it has been worn since.—Emma Fraser
Emma Fraser
d
: the act or process of giving official acceptance or approval to something
the adoption of measures to reduce emissions
2
: the state or condition of being adopted
She is their daughter by adoption.
Examples of adoption in a Sentence
the company wants to speed up its adoption of new technology.
Our adoption of local customs has gone slowly.
The lawyer has handled countless adoptions.
children who are available for adoption
the unanimous adoption of the resolution by the Senate
Recent Examples on the Web
Together, these actions can help accelerate the speed of AI adoption in the federal government and help stretch tax dollars to deliver even more value to the American public.
—Vincent Danen, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
These are the pets up for adoption in metro Phoenix shelters this week.
—Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024
At the same time, investigators continued to review information from the Mequon Police Department and Ozaukee County case and a 1966 newspaper article from the Milwaukee Journal, provided additional information regarding the adoption of Markku Jutila.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024
The gap is almost entirely about technical innovation and adoption.
—Byalex Wood Morton, Fortune Europe, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for adoption 
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Vincent Danen, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
These are the pets up for adoption in metro Phoenix shelters this week.
—Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024
At the same time, investigators continued to review information from the Mequon Police Department and Ozaukee County case and a 1966 newspaper article from the Milwaukee Journal, provided additional information regarding the adoption of Markku Jutila.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024
The gap is almost entirely about technical innovation and adoption.
—Byalex Wood Morton, Fortune Europe, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for adoption
Dictionary Entries Near adoption
Cite this Entry
“Adoption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adoption. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
adoption
noun
adop·tion
ə-ˈdäp-shən
: the act of adopting : the state of being adopted
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