Adoption: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when referring to the legal process of taking another person's child into one's family and raising them as one's own.

• They went through the adoption process to give a child a new home.
• Adoption can be a long and challenging journey, but it's worth it.

Use when referring to temporarily taking care of a child whose biological parents are unable to care for them, with the possibility of the child returning to their biological family.

• They have been fostering several children over the years.
• Fostering can be a rewarding but challenging experience.

Use when referring to the legal right and responsibility to care for a child, often used in contexts of divorce or separation.

• After the divorce, she was awarded full custody of the children.
• They are fighting for joint custody of their daughter.

Use when talking about organizations that facilitate the adoption process, helping connect adoptive parents with children in need.

• The adoption agency provided them with all the necessary support and information.
• They contacted an adoption agency to begin their journey towards adopting a child.

When someone legally takes a child or pet into their home and officially becomes their parent or owner. It can be used in formal contexts and is generally seen as a positive and long-term decision.

• They decided on the adoption of a little girl.
• The family completed the adoption of a rescue dog.

Refers to saving animals from harmful or dangerous situations, often by taking them in from abusive homes or environments. It is usually associated with positive actions and is often used by animal welfare organizations.

• They rescued a neglected dog from the streets.
• The organization works to rescue animals in need.

When an existing owner finds a new home for a pet, usually because they can no longer take care of it. It is less formal than 'adoption' and typically viewed as a responsible act when done correctly, but can sometimes have a negative impression if done frequently.

• She had to rehome her cat when she moved to a small apartment.
• The shelter helped rehome several dogs this month.

A place that provides temporary housing and care for homeless or abandoned pets. Often used in the context of temporary housing solutions for animals until they can be adopted or rehomed.

• The local shelter is full of cats needing homes.
• She volunteered at the animal shelter every weekend.