1
: having, relating to, or being the relationship between a foster parent and the child who the foster parent cares for
Although both girls lived with Ms. Ayala, Millison was the only one who was officially placed in her care as a foster child.—
Ian Fisher
Ian FisherTwenty-three foster children now have a place to call home and family of their own following the Adoption Day at the Williamson County Courthouse in Marion on Friday.—Holly Kee
Holly Keea foster mother/father
her new foster brother/sister
living with a foster family
foster parenting
the foster system
2
: being, relating to, or involved in a situation in which temporary care is given to an animal (such as one that is injured or awaiting adoption) in a household or similar setting
foster pets
a foster dog/cat/puppy/kitten
found foster placements for the animals
For the past year, Melbourne social impact strategy consultant Lee Crockford has been a foster dad to Romeo, an adorable Labrador puppy and future seeing eye dog.—Shannon Molloy
Shannon Molloysee also foster care, foster home
fostered; fostering
ˈfȯ-st(ə-)riŋ 
ˈfä-
; fosters
1
a
: to act as a foster parent to (a child)
The couple said they get … updates and pictures from all the children they've fostered.—Patrick Edrich
Patrick Edrich
b
: to provide temporary care to (an animal that is injured, homeless, etc.) in a household or similar setting
… it's just her luck she'd find a partner who not only adores dogs but fosters them for a Sacramento animal shelter.—Gina Kim
Gina Kim2
: to promote the growth or development of : encourage
policies that foster cooperation
a lack of communication that fostered distrust
Grilling meat fosters the formation of potentially cancer-causing heterocyclic amines …—J. Raloff
J. RaloffThe dead grass rotted in the warm water, releasing nutrients that fostered algae.—Carl Hiaasen
Carl HiaasenSynonyms
Examples of foster in a Sentence
Verb
Such conditions foster the spread of the disease.
Would you consider fostering a child?
Recent Examples on the Web
Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
The company started that tradition in 2015 as a way for its staff to reconnect with nature and foster employee well-being.
—Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 6 Nov. 2024
Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
In this instance, familiarity does not breed contempt but fosters an affection that deepens with every passing year.
—Nick Foulkes, theweek, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for foster 
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Adjective
With these steps, BUSD can preserve these schools as community hubs and foster trust by including parents and residents in decision-making.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
The company started that tradition in 2015 as a way for its staff to reconnect with nature and foster employee well-being.
—Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
The company continues to focus on its growth strategy, including fostering a vibrant customer ecosystem and improving the customer experience through product innovation.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
In this instance, familiarity does not breed contempt but fosters an affection that deepens with every passing year.
—Nick Foulkes, theweek, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for foster
Dictionary Entries Near foster
Cite this Entry
“Foster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foster. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
foster
1 of 2 adjective
fos·ter
ˈfȯs-tər
ˈfäs-
: giving, receiving, or sharing parental care even though not related by blood or legal ties
foster parent
foster child
Biographical Definition
Foster 1 of 2
biographical name (1)
Fos·ter
ˈfȯ-stər
ˈfä-
Stephen Collins 1826–1864 American songwriter
Foster
2 of 2biographical name (2)
William Z(ebulon) 1881–1961 American Communist
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