adopted; adopting; adopts
1
: to take (someone or something) by choice into a relationship
They adopted Canada as their home.
: such as
a
: to take (a child born to other parents) voluntarily as one's own child especially in compliance with formal legal procedures
Many young couples … are experiencing infertility problems, and as a result, some are looking to adopt a child.—
Sonia Krohn
Sonia Krohn
b
: to acquire (an animal) as a pet especially from an animal shelter
The family adopted a dog.
2
: to begin to practice or use (something, such as an approach or manner)
people who adopt a healthy lifestyle
He adopted a moderate tone.
Over the past year, I've adopted the habit of buying clothes and home goods only from ethical brands.—Sunny Montgomery
Sunny MontgomeryAdopted from France, the widespread Victorian custom of leaving visiting cards led to the production of many types of card cases.—William C. Ketchum, Jr.
William C. Ketchum, Jr.The big three airlines have adopted different strategies in response to the pandemic.—Ted Reed
Ted ReedBarnard explained that it was only in 1974 that the group adopted the name ABBA.—Faith Qinga
Faith Qinga3
: to accept and establish (something, such as a law or policy) in a formal or official way
adopt a constitutional amendment
adopted new safety measures
By then almost every state had adopted an animal anti-cruelty law.—Mindy Norton
Mindy Norton4
: to choose (educational materials) for required study in a course
The board is responsible for setting curriculum standards and adopting textbooks and other instructional materials for public schools.—DallasNews.com
DallasNews.com5
: to sponsor the care and maintenance of (something, such as a section of public road)
Rock Bridge [Community Church] has adopted part of Curtis Highway, while Northwest Georgia National has taken on part of Belwood Road.—Cat Webb
Cat Webb6
: to take (a word from another language) into common use : borrow
English adopted the word "patio" from Spanish. = The English word "patio" was adopted from Spanish.
: to adopt a child or animal
people who choose to adopt
adopter
noun
plural adopters
an early adopter of new technology
… living rooms are great places for potential adopters to evaluate a dog …
—Dog Watch
Dog Watch
Examples of adopt in a Sentence
They were unable to have children of their own, so they decided to adopt.
They decided to adopt a child.
He was adopted as an infant.
Did he adopt your point of view?
We adopted some of the local customs.
The author Samuel Clemens adopted the name “Mark Twain.”
He was born in England but he has adopted Canada as his home.
The assembly adopted a new constitution.
The resolution was unanimously adopted by the Senate.
Recent Examples on the Web
In Thomas County in northwestern Kansas, the sheriff’s office settled a 2020 lawsuit in part by agreeing to adopt policy requiring annual training for deputies on the department’s policy manual, including policies on seizures.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2024
Charter back office providers should adopt an integrity policy, the report said, that includes fraud risk management and requires oversight of the providers’ reporting to their charter schools.
—Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2024
In January, the Hinds County Board of Supervisors adopted a policy that will require the coroner’s office to check missing person registries before requesting a burial, officials said.
—Jon Schuppe, NBC News, 4 Apr. 2024
All 254 of its counties adopted the rules, the Post reported.
—Sunny Nagpaul, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2024
To help mammoth-sized companies adopt cleaner and more energy-efficient infrastructure, Schneider placed its bets on two things—digitization and electrification.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 2 Apr. 2024
Your paint is so good that Trixie Mattel adopted you on sight via The Pit Stop.
—Stephen Daw, Billboard, 2 Apr. 2024
Tucson's new tiny home community offers an opportunity for other Arizona cities to also adopt the new homelessness and heat relief model.
—Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 2 Apr. 2024
Although electric vehicles have been adopted more rapidly around the world ‒ including in Norway, China and the European Union ‒ Americans have been slow to shift their purchases.
—Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2024
Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2024
Charter back office providers should adopt an integrity policy, the report said, that includes fraud risk management and requires oversight of the providers’ reporting to their charter schools.
—Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2024
In January, the Hinds County Board of Supervisors adopted a policy that will require the coroner’s office to check missing person registries before requesting a burial, officials said.
—Jon Schuppe, NBC News, 4 Apr. 2024
All 254 of its counties adopted the rules, the Post reported.
—Sunny Nagpaul, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2024
To help mammoth-sized companies adopt cleaner and more energy-efficient infrastructure, Schneider placed its bets on two things—digitization and electrification.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 2 Apr. 2024
Your paint is so good that Trixie Mattel adopted you on sight via The Pit Stop.
—Stephen Daw, Billboard, 2 Apr. 2024
Tucson's new tiny home community offers an opportunity for other Arizona cities to also adopt the new homelessness and heat relief model.
—Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 2 Apr. 2024
Although electric vehicles have been adopted more rapidly around the world ‒ including in Norway, China and the European Union ‒ Americans have been slow to shift their purchases.
—Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'adopt.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English adopten, borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French adopter, borrowed from Latin adoptāre, from ad- ad- + optāre "to express a wish for, desire, choose, decide on" — more at option entry 1
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of adopt was
in the 15th century
Dictionary Entries Near adopt
Cite this Entry
“Adopt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adopt. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
adopt
verb1
: to take legally as one's own child
adopted a baby girl
2
: to take as one's own
adopt a point of view
3
: to accept formally
the assembly adopted a constitution
adopter
noun
Legal Definition
adopt
transitive verb1
: to take voluntarily (a child of other parents) as one's own child especially in compliance with formal legal procedures see also equitable adoption
2
: to take or accept as if one's own
[the company] adopted the signature on the financing statement—Barber-Greene Co. v. Nat'l City Bank of Minneapolis, 816 F.2d 1267 (1987)
Barber-Greene Co. v. Nat'l City Bank of Minneapolis, 816 F.2d 1267 (1987)3
: to accept formally and put into effect
adopt a constitutional amendment
More from Merriam-Webster on adopt
Nglish: Translation of adopt for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of adopt for Arabic Speakers
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