adopt

a·dopt

Use adopt in a sentence

A pair of monkeys adopt a kitten.

verb

The definition of adopt is to willingly take one into a relationship, particularly in the case of an orphaned child.
An example of adopt is to permanently take in a kitten from a shelter.
Adopt is defined as to accept an idea or to choose and follow a course of action.
An example of adopt is to accept and implement a plan presented to a committee.

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"adopt." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 06 December 2018. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/adOpt>.

APA Style

adopt. (n.d.). Retrieved December 06th, 2018, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/adOpt

adopt

to choose and bring into a certain relationship; specif.,
1. to take into one's family by legal process and raise as one's own child
2. to take possession of as a pet
to take up and use (an idea, a practice, etc.) as one's own
to choose and follow (a course)
to vote to accept (a committee report, motion, etc.)
to select as a required textbook

Origin of adopt

Classical Latin adoptare from ad-, to + optare, to choose

to take a child into one's family legally and raise as one's own

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MLA Style

"adopt." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 06 December 2018. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/adOpt>.

APA Style

adopt. (n.d.). Retrieved December 06th, 2018, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/adOpt

adopt

transitive verb

a·dopt·ed, a·dopt·ing, a·dopts

To take on the legal responsibilities as parent of (a child that is not one's biological child).
To become the owner or caretaker of (a pet, especially one from a shelter).
a. To take and follow (a course of action, for example) by choice or assent: adopt a new technique.
b. To take up and make one's own: adopt a new idea.
To move to or resettle in (a place).
To take on or assume: adopted an air of importance.
To vote to accept: adopt a resolution.
To choose as standard or required in a course: adopt a new line of English textbooks.

Origin of adopt

Middle English adopten from Old French adopter from Latin adoptāre ad- ad- optāre to choose

Related Forms:

a·dopt′a·bil′i·ty
noun

a·dopt′a·ble
adjective

a·dopt′er
noun

a·dop′tion
noun

Usage Note: Children are adopted by parents, and we normally refer to an adopted child but to adoptive parents, families, and homes. When describing places, one can use either adopted or adoptive: her adopted city; her adoptive city.

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Link/Cite

Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"adopt." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 06 December 2018. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/adOpt>.

APA Style

adopt. (n.d.). Retrieved December 06th, 2018, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/adOpt

Verb

(third-person singular simple present adopts, present participle adopting, simple past and past participle adopted)

(with relationship specified) To take by choice into relationship, as, child, heir, friend, citizen, etc.
(with relationship implied by context) To take voluntarily (a child of other parents) to be in the place of, or as, one's own child.
A friend of mine recently adopted a Chinese baby girl found on the streets of Beijing.
(with relationship implied by context) To obtain (a pet) from a shelter or the wild.
We're going to adopt a Dalmatian.
(with relationship implied by context) To take by choice into the scope of one's responsibility.
This supermarket chain adopts several families every Yuletide, providing them with money and groceries for the holidays.
To take or receive as one's own what is not so naturally.
To select and take or approve.
to adopt the view or policy of another
These resolutions were adopted.