Foster
/ˈfɒstər/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo promote the growth or development of something; to cultivate.
/ˈfɒstər/
To encourage the development of something.
The school aims to foster creativity through art classes.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're helping a plant grow! Foster means to help something develop and get stronger, like when a teacher fosters learning or a parent fosters their child's creativity. It's about giving something a good environment to thrive.
👶 For kids: To help something grow or get better, like helping a plant grow or helping your friend be kind.
More Examples
The company fosters a culture of open communication.
The government will foster economic development to improve life in the region.
How It's Used
"The teacher tried to foster a love of reading in her students."
"The program aims to foster economic growth in the community."
To take care of a child, often temporarily, who is not your own.
/ˈfɒstər/
To care for a child.
The couple decided to foster a child while they were in a time of need.
💡 Simply: Imagine giving a home to a child who doesn't have parents or a safe place to live. To foster a child means you're taking care of them and providing them with a safe and loving environment, even if it's just for a little while. It's like being a temporary parent.
👶 For kids: To take care of a child who needs a temporary home and family.
More Examples
The organization fosters children until they can be reunited with their families.
Many families foster children to give them a better start in life.
How It's Used
"The social worker helps to foster children who cannot live with their parents."
"They decided to foster a child to give them a safe home."
Relating to a parent or home, which provides care for someone who is not their legal child.
/ˈfɒstər/
Providing or receiving care that is not based on legal or blood ties.
The foster child enjoyed the love and care of the family.
💡 Simply: Imagine a temporary family. 'Foster' is used to describe the relationship between a child and the adults who are taking care of them, usually because the child's parents aren't able to. For instance, a foster parent.
👶 For kids: When a grown-up takes care of a kid who needs a temporary home, we say they are a foster parent.
More Examples
The foster home was a safe and supportive environment.
She became a foster mother to help children.
How It's Used
"The foster parent gave the child a sense of stability."
"A foster home provides care for children in need."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
foster care
The system or practice of taking care of children who are not your own, often temporarily.
"The child was placed in foster care after their parents died."
From Middle English *fostren*, from Old English *fōstor* ('nourishment, food, maintenance'), from Proto-Germanic *fōstrą*. Related to 'feed'.
The term 'foster' has been used since Old English times, initially referring to the act of nourishing or rearing.
Memory tip
Think of a gardener carefully tending to a plant to help it grow.
Word Origin
"nourishment, food, maintenance"