Meaning of adopt In English

• 0 to legally take another person's child into your own family and take care of him or her as your own child:

  • They've adopted a baby girl.

  • She had the child adopted (= she gave her baby to someone else to take care of).

  • They have no children of their own, but they're hoping to adopt.

  • Only about 20 percent of all dogs and cats that come into the rescue centre will be adopted.

  • She lives in a 3-bedroomed home with five dogs she adopted from an animal shelter.

• 1 to accept or start to use something new:

  • I think it's time to adopt a different strategy in my dealings with him.

  • The new tax would force companies to adopt energy-saving measures.

  • He's adopted a remarkably light-hearted attitude towards the situation.

• 2 to choose someone or something or take something as your own:

  • Dr Kennedy has been adopted as the party's candidate for South Cambridge.

  • Roz has adopted one or two funny mannerisms since she's been away.

• 3 to pay money in order to have your name connected with a particular thing, especially in order to help an organization raise money:

  • For just $25, you can adopt a word for an entire year.

  • The council said the road was never adopted and so it is not obliged to repair it.

• 4 to take another person’s child legally into your own family to raise as your own child:

  • [ T ] They adopted Raphael last September.

• 5 to accept or begin to use something:

  • The new law means companies will adopt energy-saving measures.

  • The motion to increase fees was adopted.

• 6 to start to use a new method, system, law, etc.:

  • Many European businesses are now adopting a management style closer to that of the US.

  • adopt an approach/strategy/policy According to the inspector-general's report, the airline industry needs to adopt a more consistent approach.

  • adopt a measure/system/plan Companies involved in public takeovers should adopt more stringent measures to investigate information leaks.

  • adopt a resolution/regulation/solution The Security Council adopted a resolution promising economic aid to the region.

• 7 to start to use a new product or service:

  • Large firms lead small firms in terms of adopting e-commerce.