What does adoption mean?
Adoption refers primarily to the legal process by which a person becomes the parent of a child who is not their biological offspring, transferring parental rights and responsibilities. Beyond this familial sense, adoption also describes the act of taking up, embracing, or putting into practice an idea, custom, method, or technology — for example, the adoption of renewable energy or the adoption of a new policy. The word carries broadly positive connotations, suggesting acceptance, care, and forward movement, though it can appear in neutral or technical registers such as law, computing, and sociology. Derived from the Latin 'adoptio', from 'adoptare' meaning 'to choose for oneself', it entered English via Old French in the late Middle Ages. Adoption is a versatile noun useful across everyday conversation, journalism, and specialist writing alike.
nounThe act of legally taking another person's child and bringing it up as one's own, or the act of choosing to take up or follow an idea, method, or course of action.
- The legal process of taking another's child into one's family.
- The act of choosing to take up or follow an idea, method, or practice.
"The couple's adoption of two siblings brought them immense joy."
"After years on the waiting list, they finally completed the adoption of their daughter."
"The rapid adoption of electric vehicles is reshaping the automotive industry."
The plural is used when referring to multiple instances of adoption, whether of children or of practices.
"International adoptions have declined over the past decade."
The word 'adoption' shares its Latin root with 'option' — both trace back to 'optare', meaning 'to choose'.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of adoption
Adoption derives from the Latin 'adoptio', the noun form of 'adoptare', meaning 'to choose or take for oneself', itself formed from 'ad-' ('to') plus 'optare' ('to choose'). The word passed into English through Old French 'adopte' during the late medieval period, with its modern spelling established by the early modern era. It shares its root with 'option' and 'opt', all stemming from the same Latin verb of choice.
Related word forms
How adoption is actually used
Commonly used in both legal/family contexts and in business/technology contexts (e.g. adoption of new technology). Register is neutral; suitable for formal and informal use.
Easily confused with adoption
Adaptation means adjusting to new conditions, whereas adoption means taking something up as one's own.