Family / B2

uh-DOPSHUN/əˈdɒpʃn/

Adoption has two B2 senses: taking a child as your own, and starting to use a new idea or method (the adoption of a timetable). Taking on is everyday for the second; fostering is related but not the same as legal adoption. Adopt is the verb for both. In news and policy, adoption of a policy is standard; in speech, they started using is enough. Keep the child sense for the legal, family meaning.

Meaning

The act of taking a child as your own, or of starting to use a new idea or method.

Examples

• “The adoption of the new timetable caused confusion.”
• “The adoption of the new marking scheme took a full term.”
• “They waited two years for the adoption to be approved.”

Good to know

adoption of + policy/method. Also: taking a child as your own. Verb: adopt. Everyday: starting to use / taking on.

Near in meaning

taking on

Topics

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