Adopt Definition

ə-dŏpt

adopted, adopting, adopts

verb

adopted, adopting, adopts

To take on the legal responsibilities as parent of (a child that is not one's biological child).

American Heritage

To choose and bring into a certain relationship.

Webster's New World

To take a child into one's family legally and raise as one's own.

Webster's New World

To become the owner or caretaker of (a pet, especially one from a shelter).

American Heritage

To take up and use (an idea, a practice, etc.) as one's own.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Origin of Adopt

Middle English adopten from Old French adopter from Latin adoptāre ad- ad- optāre to choose

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Middle French adopter, from Latin adoptare; ad + optare (“to choose, desire”).

From Wiktionary