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Word

adoption

noun C1
UK /əˈdɒp.ʃən/
US /əˈdɑp.ʃən/

Adoption is the act of legally taking a child into your family as your own.

adoption: Adoption is the act of legally taking a child into your family as your own.

Meanings

noun

the legal process of becoming the parent of a child who is not biologically yours

noun

the act of choosing and starting to use a new idea, method, policy, or technology

adoption: the act of choosing and starting to use a new idea, method, policy, or technology

Definition

Adoption is a legal process that makes someone the parent of a child who is not biologically theirs. It gives the adoptive parents the same rights and responsibilities as any parent. The word can also mean choosing and starting to use a new idea, method, or technology.

Examples

  • After years of preparation, their adoption finally went through, and they brought the child home that weekend.
  • The documentary explores how adoption can reshape a person’s sense of identity over time.
  • Rapid adoption of remote collaboration tools changed how the team planned projects across time zones.
  • The policy’s adoption was delayed because the committee could not agree on the final details.
  • Her adoption of a calmer routine made her workdays more focused and predictable.

Common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse adoption (taking a child legally into a family) with adaptation (changing something to fit a new situation).