Foster Definition
fôstər, fŏstər
fostered, fostering, fosters
verb
fostered, fostering, fosters
To bring up with care; rear.
Webster's New World
To help to grow or develop; stimulate; promote.
To foster discontent.
Webster's New World
To nurse; cherish.
Foster a secret hope.
American Heritage
To cling to in one's mind; cherish.
Foster a hope.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
adjective
Having the standing of a specified member of the family, though not by birth or adoption, and giving, receiving, or sharing the care appropriate to that standing.
Foster parent, foster brother.
Webster's New World
Providing parental care and nurture to children not related through legal or blood ties.
Foster parents; foster grandparents; a foster home.
American Heritage
Receiving parental care and nurture from those not related to one through legal or blood ties.
Foster children.
American Heritage
Designating or relating to such care.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
pronoun
A town in Victoria, Australia.
Wiktionary
A town in Indiana.
Wiktionary
A village in Missouri.
Wiktionary
A village in Nebraska.
Wiktionary
noun
(uncountable) The care given to another; guardianship.
Wiktionary
Synonyms:
- stephen collins foster
- Stephen Foster
Origin of Foster
-
Middle English fostren from Old English fōstrian to nourish from fōstor food, nourishing pā- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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Old English fostor (“food, sustenance”), from Proto-Germanic *fustrą.
From Wiktionary
Foster Is Also Mentioned In
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