- the act or process of establishing a legal relationship between a child and a parent other than the child’s biological parent, thereby entrusting the designated adult with responsibility for raising the child: Have you considered growing your family through adoption?
- the act or process of acquiring a pet, especially a stray or abandoned animal from an animal rescue organization: The shelter sees a rush of dog adoptions every June, when school lets out for summer.
- the act of accepting, embracing, or starting to use something, as an idea, behavior, characteristic, or principle: The adoption of a new amendment was delayed by partisan bickering.Her friends and family were surprised by her adoption of European mannerisms and expressions after only one year abroad.
- the state of being adopted.
