verb (used with object)
- to choose or take as one’s own; make one’s own by selection or assent: to adopt a nickname.
- to take and rear (the child of other parents) as one’s own child, specifically by a formal legal act.
- to take or receive into any kind of new relationship: to adopt a person as a protégé.
- to select as a basic or required textbook or series of textbooks in a course.
- to vote to accept: The House adopted the report.
- to accept or act in accordance with (a plan, principle, etc.).
Verb Phrases
- adopt out, to place (a child) for adoption: The institution may keep a child or adopt it out.
verb (tr)
- law to bring (a person) into a specific relationship, esp to take (another’s child) as one’s own child
- to choose and follow (a plan, technique, etc)
- to take over (an idea, etc) as if it were one’s own
- to take on; assumeto adopt a title
- to accept (a report, etc)
c.1500, a back-formation from adoption or else from Middle French adopter or directly from Latin adoptare “take by choice, choose for oneself, select, choose” (especially a child). Originally in English also of friends, fathers, citizens, etc. Sense of “to legally take as one’s own child” and that of “to embrace, espouse” a practice, method, etc. are from c.1600. Related: Adopted; adopting.