Adoption
/əˈdɒpʃən/
Definitions
2 meaningsThe legal process of taking a child into one's family to raise as one's own.
/əˈdɒpʃən/
The act of adopting or state of being adopted.
The couple completed the adoption of twins.
💡 Simply: Taking someone else's child to be your own.
More Examples
Open adoption allows for contact between the adoptive and biological parents.
How It's Used
"The adoption process was lengthy but ultimately successful."
"Their adoption of the child brought immense joy to the family."
The process of accepting or beginning to use something new.
/əˈdɒpʃən/
The act of taking up or embracing something new.
The new technology's adoption rate was surprisingly high.
💡 Simply: Starting to use something new.
More Examples
The school has adopted a new teaching method.
How It's Used
"The company's adoption of new software improved efficiency."
"The widespread adoption of social media has changed communication."
From Middle English adopcioun, from Old French adopcion, from Latin adoptionem (nominative adoptio), from adoptare "to adopt", from ad- "to" + optare "to choose, desire".
Historically, adoption was often less formal and more focused on inheriting property.
Memory tip
Adopt a pet, it's an act of adoption.