foster parent
noun
plural foster parents
1
: a person temporarily serving as a parent for a child who has lost or been removed from a parent's care and who is not the person's own biological child
specifically, US
: such a person who has been trained and approved by a government or social-service agency
Many foster parents … continue to act selflessly as important way stations for at-risk kids while their biological parents get their lives together. —
Timothy Roche
Timothy Roche Foster parents adopt children in Ventura County [California] more often than relatives do. —Stephanie Hoops
Stephanie Hoops 2
a
: a person temporarily caring for an animal (such as one that is injured or awaiting adoption)
The 36-year-old Owosso [Michigan] native became a foster parent to dogs through the shelter five years ago.—Anamaria Dickerson
Anamaria Dickerson
b
: an animal caring for an unrelated offspring
Cowbirds deposit their eggs in the nests of other birds, and unknowing foster parents raise baby cowbirds along with their own young.—The Tuscaloosa (Alabama) News
The Tuscaloosa (Alabama) NewsTom hoped the little eaglet could be placed into an active nest, adopted and raised by wild foster parents, and could ultimately fly free.—Massachusetts Wildlife
Massachusetts WildlifeExamples of foster parent in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The two-year-old shih tzu came in as a stray to the Carson Animal Shelter in California where foster parent Jan Vega volunteers.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2024
Lowry is also a competitive bodybuilder and a foster parent and plays recreational soccer.
—Nadia Scharf, The Indianapolis Star, 17 Sep. 2024
After their escape, the six youngest Turpin siblings were sent to live with foster parents, Marcelino and Rosa Olguin, and their adult daughter Lennys Olguin.
—Christine Pelisek, Peoplemag, 30 July 2024
The three foster parents pleaded guilty last month to child endangerment and false imprisonment.
—Izzy Alvarez, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2024
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Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2024
Lowry is also a competitive bodybuilder and a foster parent and plays recreational soccer.
—Nadia Scharf, The Indianapolis Star, 17 Sep. 2024
After their escape, the six youngest Turpin siblings were sent to live with foster parents, Marcelino and Rosa Olguin, and their adult daughter Lennys Olguin.
—Christine Pelisek, Peoplemag, 30 July 2024
The three foster parents pleaded guilty last month to child endangerment and false imprisonment.
—Izzy Alvarez, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for foster parent
Dictionary Entries Near foster parent
Cite this Entry
“Foster parent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foster%20parent. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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