Foster Definition

fôstər, fŏstər
fostered, fostering, fosters
verb
fostered, fostering, fosters
To bring up with care; rear.
Webster's New World
To help to grow or develop; stimulate; promote.
To foster discontent.
Webster's New World
To nurse; cherish.
Foster a secret hope.
American Heritage
To cling to in one's mind; cherish.
Foster a hope.
Webster's New World
adjective
Having the standing of a specified member of the family, though not by birth or adoption, and giving, receiving, or sharing the care appropriate to that standing.
Foster parent, foster brother.
Webster's New World
Providing parental care and nurture to children not related through legal or blood ties.
Foster parents; foster grandparents; a foster home.
American Heritage
Receiving parental care and nurture from those not related to one through legal or blood ties.
Foster children.
American Heritage
Designating or relating to such care.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
pronoun

An English surname​, variant of Forster.

Wiktionary

A town in Victoria, Australia.

Wiktionary

A town in Indiana.

Wiktionary

A village in Missouri.

Wiktionary

A village in Nebraska.

Wiktionary
noun

(uncountable) The care given to another; guardianship.

Wiktionary
Synonyms:
  • stephen collins foster
  • Stephen Foster

Other Word Forms of Foster

Noun

Singular:
foster
Plural:
fosters

Origin of Foster

  • Middle English fostren from Old English fōstrian to nourish from fōstor food, nourishing pā- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Old English fostor (“food, sustenance”), from Proto-Germanic *fustrą.

    From Wiktionary

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